Doak Markley

It is 1969 as fifteen-year-old Derek Moore pedals to his new high school for the first day of summer conditioning. He has no idea what is in store for him. After all, he is the fresh meat rookie on the football team. But when he is befriended by popular upperclassman, Mark Maris, a tiny sliver of hope begins to emerge for Derek. The teams illustrious leader is Coach Sizemore, a determined motivator who has a staff of passionate assistant coaches under him who have made it their mission to work the boys on the field until they achieve more than they ever believed they could. With a pop song always in his mindset, Derek must learn to navigate through classroom, first love, and social challenges, all while attempting to make a positive impact on the football field. But it is not until the season culminates in an exciting game that Derek finally realizes the true value of being a part of a team intent on achieving great things. In this coming-of-age novel, a teenage boy growing up during late sixties America must attempt to adjust to a new schooland football teamwhile facing adolescent obstacles