The filming of FRIDAY NIGHTS IN AMERICA began with much planning. Blue Hill Productions spent the month prior to photography researching the most exciting programs in the nation. It was only after extensive conversations with newspaper columnists and TV reporters that we landed on the five featured programs. In addition to these stories we packed in a ton of unbelievable highlights from the roughest high school games you'll ever see. We also visited a number of schools and captured their major rivalry games. This provided us with the pageantry and passion we knew boiled under so many big games.

Having shot so many games over the past 10 years for "THE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTSHOW", Blue Hill Productions, which is an offshoot of Ross Productions, had an enormous bank of highlights from which to choose. You're seeing the most spine splitting, breath-taking hits from across the U.S. as well as the most beautiful plays you may ever see.

What amazed us the most in our travels, was the immense difference between the glitz and glamour of a big time game at Permian High in west Texas and the nearly invisible program at De La Salle High, the nation's #1 team and three-time defending USA Today National Champions. While Odessa Permian fans show their emotions on their shirt sleeves, De La Salle fans, from the affluent San Francisco suburb of Concord, reflect the quiet, understated philosophy practiced and preached by their Head Coach and team. 2000 fans showed up for the bonfire at Permian High the night before their game with arch rival Midland Lee. The De La Salle team never showed for their school's pep rally because of a team meeting.

Yet, despite these glaring surface differences, both Head Coaches are spiritual men who have dedicated their lives to helping talented teenagers grow through that difficult period of adolescence that claims many less disciplined teenagers. Bob Ladouceur, Head Coach of the De La Salle Spartans, has the power and wisdom to connect with and effect the adolescent mind. This is one reason many believe his smaller players win against bigger, tougher opponents. Where Bob Ladouceur refrains from using the word God and religion to his players, and he has a background in Theology, Scott Smith, at Permian proudly states his position as a servant of Jesus. You'll hear the Lords Prayer in Odessa before the game and you'll hear a pin drop in Concord, California.

In Pahokee, Florida, we learned there are three things that rule this dirt poor farming town, Religion, Football and Trouble. If you are not involved in the first two, chances are good you're headed for the streets. Pahokee is surrounded by sugar cane, bean fields and dirt so dark and rich, they call it "Black Gold" It is also called "The Muck". If you're from Pahokee or neighboring Belle Glade, you're from "The Muck". Both teams play each other in the "Standing Room Only" "Muck Bowl" each year. Sit back and prepare yourself for "Showtime in the Everglades" when these two teams lineup. No other two schools in America produce more NFL talent. Some say these athletes, (92% of the pop. of both towns is African American), gained their extraordinary quickness from chasing rabbits from the sugar cane fields. One thing is for sure, you will not forget the color and emotion of "The Muck Bowl".

Travel north with us to a tiny rural town in S. Georgia. Hawkinsville High is shooting for their first state title in 49 years. The only way to the Championship is through perennial powerhouse, Lincoln County. Witness an entire town attaching their hopes and identities to their beloved Red Devils. And stay around for the most heartwarming parade you'll ever see in small town America.

To put much of what you've seen into perspective, we flew 600 miles north to suburban Pittsburgh, where a graveyard of abandoned steel mills announced the end of many small town high schools and football teams. Braddock, PA led the nation in the 50's with a 56-game win streak. 9,000 poured into their old wooden stands for big games. A Braddock game was a happening in western, PA. Braddock today is a portrait of a town with no identity, other than its appearance, which is sadly old, dirty and near death. It is the closing of the mills that signaled her death, but many believe it was the loss of their team. Learn how, almost overnight, the consolidation of several small town teams into the Woodland Hills school district created the national powerhouse Woodland Hills Wolverines.

For only $19.95 plus s&h, you'll see the most compelling film ever made on high school football. And enjoy approx. one hour of never-before-seen features and extras.

A MUST-SEE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER STRAPPED ON PADS, OR WISHED THEY HAD!