Needed to do something different for about 1,000 reasons this week, so here’s an entirely off topic book review of The Hill by Leif Lathrop. It truly is an uplifting (and sometimes heart-pounding) story about the 6-man high school football team he coaches. It’s truly cinematic in scope and a fun read for anyone who already loves or wants to learn about life, community, and football in a small town. Lathrop is an accomplished artist (as seen recently on a 3-minute segment aired on CBS Evening News), fellow Colorado author, and a former semi-pro football coach. He also happens to be a high school classmate of mine and the leading man in another friend and classmate’s life.
The Hill by Leif Lathrop – The inspirational story of the Primero Bulldogs 2023 6-man high school football team
As you can imagine, the story centers on the Primero Bulldogs football team who pretty much define the term underdog in the sports world. The school, located in southeastern Colorado, is small. Just to train the players, Lathrop gets permission for them to run a hill that sits on private land near the school. Just to get to their games, the team makes epic road trips – sometimes over scary mountain passes on a typical school bus, with a brave driver!
The book chronicles Lathrop’s first, somewhat unexpected season as the high school team’s head coach. Suffice to say that parents, players, and the community felt skeptical at first.
The story unfolds across countless hurdles:
- Administrative approvals
- Budget stresses
- Barely enough players for many games
- Bad weather
- Arch rivals
- Injuries
A Little Mining History Too
The book opens with the economic history of coal mining in the the community. It also covers why 6-man football teams got created in the first place.
Long-Lost Love & a Dog Named Klaus
You also get a glimpse into long-lost loves reuniting, which was fun for me since I knew them both, then and now. In addition to the bulldogs mascot for the team, an early chapter called CHANGE features the passing of Lathrop’s dog Klaus, an amazing German shepherd. So you may want to speed past that part of the chapter to protect your heart.
Have no fear, though friends, Lathrop now lives with Artie, another German shepherd mix, who’s a real doll too. He likes to play with a full-sized basketball. Photo credit: Tracy Wahl
This Needs to Be a Movie!
I read the book in one sitting recently. I immediately texted my friend, Tracy (also a journalist, artist, and photographer whose work is shown at the Corazon Gallery in Trinidad, Colorado). I said, “Loved it & think he/you should write an adapted screenplay.”
Not joking. It has real movie potential!
- Football underdogs
- Real grit and community
- Small-town setting
- Gorgeous landscapes
- Love story
- What’s not to like?
Even if you don’t know anything about football, especially 6-man football, or football strategy, it’s a really fun and hopeful read. I know next to zero about most of it, and I still loved it.
Please buy and read The Hill by Leif Lathrop. I’d consider it a personal favor.
And, if you want to watch the CBS News segment about the local art community in Trinidad, Colorado, featuring my HS pals, here’s the video.
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