The Bandana Express: The True Story of the 1980 Giles Spartans Paperback – July 29, 2025

"Virginia has its own version of Friday Night Lights in The Bandana Express."-Roland Lazenby, New York Times bestselling author of Michael Jordan: The Life"This true story will capture your heart, rally your soul, and reinforce what truly matters!"-Frank Beamer, former head coach at Virginia Tech and member of the College Football Hall of Fame"If you love football, read it. If you don't love football, read it anyway. You will love it, and it will make you a better person."-Bill Curry, former NFL player, longtime coach, and ESPN analystThe Bandana Express chronicles the coming-of-age tale of a high school football team and their young coach, Steve Ragsdale, as he strives to follow in the footsteps of his legendary father in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Faced with a threat directed at his star player, Coach Ragsdale unites the school and rural community behind a symbol of hope: the boy's red bandana.With a colorful cast of memorable characters, the underdog Spartans employ grit and an old-fashioned offense to propel their improbable season toward an unforgettable finish. A nostalgic journey through sports and pop culture, The Bandana Express illustrates why high school football remains an enduring thread in the American fabric.Reminiscent of Friday Night Lights, The Junction Boys, and Twelve Mighty Orphans,the true story of the 1980 Giles Spartans will captivate football diehards and casual fans alike. Read more