Please, sir, I want (American) Samoa

[Basil Exposition]

An absolute gem from WaPo's Eli Saslow, who traveled halfway around the world to get a great story. A lot of folks might have tried to write this out of your standard-issue inner-city high school football factory, but it wouldn't have as much resonance. Here it's not a few blocks of blight and hopeless poverty that kids are desperate to escape, it's a whole freaking island, stuck in the middle of the ocean, 2,500 miles from anything substantial. Saslow also nails the high school tribal loyalties on "The Rock" and this bruising offensive lineman who has to drown a chicken to feed his family dinner. Great, great story.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/why-we-compete/2007/08/opportunity.html

 

[Bubbler]

Good stuff. Would be fascinating to cover preps there.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Nice get ... took me back in time. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Chi City 81]

Awesome thread title, btw.

 

[Football_Bat]

Samoans are badasses. So are Tongans.

I'm ready to do a haka chant now.

 

[pressboxer]

You can see it live on Fox Sports Net on Sept. 15 when Euless Trinity plays out in Odessa.

 

[alleyallen]

Nice article. I think there are some people out there wondering why Lava Lava Lenny got no mention (old Doonesbury reference).