Afterwards, John Curtis Christian School was spared serious damage, but many of the players and students were forced into cramped trailers, dingy hotels and apartments, and countless days tearing the ruined drywall from their family homes. Some moved out of state or transferred to other schools, and Patriots coach J.T. Curtis -- son of the eponymous founder, who passed away earlier in 2005 -- scrambled to salvage the season.
Thompson, an experienced sportswriter, vividly describes the team's early games, not to mention the torment many of the players and coaches suffered when Katrina left them homeless. Some of the higher-profile players get particular attention -- especially Joe McKnight, a running back who won a scholarship to USC after graduation -- but the book is really about coach Curtis and his family. The way he was able to not only put his team back together but lead it to yet another state championship is absolutely remarkable.
Hurricane Season feels kind of rushed as it approaches the climactic championship game. It almost feels like Thompson was on deadline, and had to cram a hundred pages' worth of information into 30 or 40. Still, his book is an inspiring look at how the sport of football helped the school and its small, proud student body get through one of the darkest chapters in American history.
The Patriots have racked up an impressive 5-1 record so far this season, while the Saints lost four in a row before finally winning their first game of the year. For both of these Louisiana football teams, it looks like everything is back to normal.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!