If you haven’t viewed Esquire’s Friday Night Tykes: Steel Country, Tuesday’s at 9:00 pm est, it’s a great time for binge watching.
Steel Country has some of the intense coaching and great football of the original Texas Tykes, but adds another dimension – community, elevating the show into the realm of social and political relevance.
Beaver County, Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League, is chronicled in the documentary series, Central Valley Warriors and Aliquippa L’il Quips most prominently. Other Mitey Mite teams featured in the series include the Beaver Falls Tigers, Monaca L’il Indians, Blackhawk Cougars and Ambridge L’il Bridgers.
Speaking with executive producer Matt Maranz (who also produced the previous three seasons of Friday Night Tykes in Texas), and Mayor/assistant coach of former steel town Aliguippa, Dwan B. Walker , I learned how Beaver county, PA., represents a snapshot of post-industrial life in America, suffering through a crisis of blight since manufacturing vanished.
Why was the Beaver Falls Youth Football League chosen to be spotlighted?
Matt Maranz: The small towns of Beaver Falls have a history of consistently producing NFL players. Joe Namath hails from Beaver Falls, and Aliquippa has more than 15 NFL players to its credit, such as Darrelle Revis, Sean Gilbert, Mike Ditka and Tony Dorsett. Friday Night Tykes: Steel Country focuses on the role football plays to keep these communities together. The economy is part of the story. The economic downturn has impacted these communities and football is one of the ways they hold onto pride, for a sense of community, you’ll see that is a big storyline in the show.”
Is Friday Night Tykes: Steel Country a ‘Reality Show’ or a ‘Documentary’?
Matt Maranz: A documentary, none of the rough patches or awkward moments get smoothed over. We let the drama of the story play out without editorializing. Nothing is scripted or staged, and nothing happens that would not happen if the cameras weren’t there. Every episode is an authentic real story, showcasing humanity as one big family. These folks know that the future may not improve, but that doesn’t diminish their nobility or passion for their communities.
Speaking of community, how did you – Dwan B. Walker, become Aliquippa’s first black mayor in the city’s 204 year existence?
Mayor Dwan B. Walker: I was elected in 2009. Our community was starting to struggle with crime, drugs, poverty, domestic abuse. A young boy was lost, and my own sister was the victim of domestic violence. The incumbent’s weren’t interested in change, they didn’t want to put in the effort to make things better. I wanted to get involved. I was a college graduate and I was active in the community. I was concerned for the kids, and for the future, so I got some advice from my Dad and twin brother, and decided to answer the call.
What’s it like being a football coach for the Quips?
Mayor Dwan B. Walker: It was important for me to be touching our young people’s lives. To show them how to roll up your sleeves and contribute some sweat energy to get things moving forward. These are uncertain times, but trouble doesn’t last forever. People recognize the magnitude of your actions, of being a light in a dark room. It’s important for the youth of our communities to be supported, it helps everyone become a better person. I made the motto of Aliquippa “All hands on deck”. If you put out a call for help, we’re gonna be there for you.
How does football contribute to the well-being of Beaver Falls Friday Night Tykes?
Mayor Dwan B. Walker: Football teaches life skills and discipline. We don’t want to make the kids feel that becoming an NFL player is the goal. Football can help you get an education. Getting an education is the goal, being able to compete on all playing fields.
Matt, you said that on some shoots there are could be over 80 assistants working and organizing. What’s it like working with a bunch of kids?
Matt Maranz: The focus of the show is more on the parents and the coaches. These guys are volunteering their time to be a support system for these kids, trying to give them a foundation of trust, love, understanding, to provide vision and determination. The saying goes, “No team in Beaver Falls has ever lost a game, they just ran out of time!”
Thanks Matt and Mayor Walker! This being an election year, it might be a good idea for everybody to take a first hand look at what our country is facing. Friday Night Tykes: Steel Country is a micro vision of a big picture story.
Esquire network presents Friday Night Tykes: Steel Country, Tuesdays, 9:00 pm. est, 8:00 pm central. Set your DVR’s. Available On Demand.
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