football

I have read some poor reviews regarding the book. I could not disagree with them more. As an educator and a high school football coach I found the story about the DeLa Salle football program to be one that was well worth telling. For those that see the world from rose colored glasses maybe you should only read books that do not tell things how they really are. Anyone who did not like this book is obviously an individual who has not spent anytime in athletics or coaching athletes. So to those who who do not appreciate athletics I suggest you do not rate a book that you have no backgroud to judge. This book is a great choice for anyone who has ever been an athlete ot coached them. My compliments to the author and the DeLa Salle football team and staff. I thank you for sharing your experience with me.

The De La Salle Spartans of Concord, CA, are owners and stewards of perhaps the longest winning streak in sports, let alone high school football. At the beginning of the 2002 season, the Spartans have won an amazing 125 straight games. To fully understand what that means, you have to realize that a typical high school football season is a mere 10 games, with a few more playoff games for the teams good enough to make it. Running through a season undefeated is an amazing accomplishment that most schools never experience, and is usually a fortunate and timely collaboration of good coaching, solid talent, meshed with experience and an enormous amount of commitment and desire, with just a bit of plain old good luck. By the summer of 2002, De La Salle's team had just completed a run of TEN CONSECUTIVE undefeated seasons.

The 2002 Spartans, however, do not appear to have what it takes to continue "The Streak", as they are less talented, less experienced, and seemingly, less interested and committed than De La Salle teams of the past. This book chronicles the trials and travails of the 2002 season, including potential Streak-ending games versus Southern California powerhouse Long Beach Poly and 15-time Hawaiian State Champions Honolulu St. Louis.

This book delves into the mystery surrounding the origins and continuation of the Streak, the players and coaches who have contributed to it, and most of all, how unassuming and unlikely a school like De La Salle and a place like Concord could be home to the longest winning streak in football history. The story isn't as electrically charged as H.G. Bissinger's "Friday Night Lights," but it is still a teriffic read and a rousing salute to the "ordinary" young men who have, through their dedication and effort, managed to forge "The Streak."

If you've heard about DLS, but want to learn more, read this well-written book. If you've heard the rumors about what DLS does or doesn't do, read this book. If you find it hard to believe that that a team can win 151 games in a row and would like to learn how they did it, read this book.

If you are inadequate and like to tear down others' accomplishments, don't buy this book - it will only frustrate you. If you think that the only way a school can accomplish great things in sports is by selling their soul to that sport, this book will not satisfy you.

If you would like to read about a VERY good school that unknowingly hired the best High School football coach ever to produce the most extraordinary football team in history, read this book. You will be very satisfied.