Twelve Mighty Orphans--#28 finished

A really interesting and very good read about a true story of an orphanage in Texas that became a powerhouse in football. The school football team seemed to only have around 12 players or so each year but each year competed for the state championship for the large schools in Texas in the 1930s. The head coach that put this together was Rusty Russell an injured vet from WWI, who had lost most of his eyesight in WWI. Russell developed a passing game long before anyone else at least in TX at that time. He also had the advantage of having the players year round for every day of the year. There was no going home for the students, they were at an orphanage. Size of the players and number of players were their disadvantage but it seems these kids played with a large chip on their shoulders because they were orphans.

While they never won the state championship they were in the playoffs and competing for it each year. They also became a nationwide news story of hope during the depression. A couple of kids went on to play professional football while others became very successful businessmen or teachers. The orphanage and school just closed in the early 2000s, right before this book was written. It seems as though it is a way of life that has almost disappeared. Like I said though, this is a very good read, especially if you are a football fan.

There are 3 WL for it so I will be posting it on PBS soon. I am still reading Alexander Hamilton, I am 75 pages in so far. Also reading Altar of Eden and am around 160 pages in. I have also just started The Poet's Funeral and around 30 pages into it. Probably won't start a 4th just yet. Will probably try to push ahead & finish either Altar or Poet in the next few days.