I am excited to announce that The Bandana Express, the true story of the 1980 Giles Spartans, will be released next summer by Koehler Books and features a fantastic foreword by ESPN’s Marty Smith. Below is the working draft of the back cover description:
A compelling work of narrative nonfiction, The Bandana Express chronicles the coming-of-age tale of a high school football team and their young coach, Steve Ragsdale, as he strives to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Faced with a threat directed at his star player, Coach Ragsdale unites the school and rural community behind a symbol of hope: the boy’s red bandana.
With a colorful cast of memorable characters, the underdog Spartans employ grit and an old-fashioned offense to propel their improbable season toward an unforgettable finish. The Bandana Express is a nostalgic journey through sports and pop culture that illustrates why high school football remains an enduring thread in the American fabric. Reminiscent of Friday Night Lights, The Junction Boys, and Twelve Mighty Orphans, the true story of the 1980 Giles Spartans will captivate football diehards and casual fans alike.
I can’t wait to share this book with the world. More details to come!
