LIFE OF REILLY
No players, no problem.
One Minnesota high school keeps winning football games anyway.

by Rick Reilly, ESPN the Magazine

If what's happening to the McLeod West (Minn.) High football team right now sounds like a movie, it's only because it should be one.

Some teams in McLeod's division have as many as 60 players on their rosters. McLeod has 19. And three of those are ninth graders who weigh 110 pounds, including helmet.

Most teams kick PATs. McLeod always goes for two. Not because it wants to. The team doesn't have a kicker.

Most teams run players on and off the field—offense, defense and special teams. McLeod only runs one guy in and out—that's because the 10 other guys never leave the field. They play offense, defense and special teams.

JUST TO SCRIMMAGE, MCLEOD WEST HIGH HAS TO USE ITS COACHES, FORMER PLAYERS AND EVEN A LOCAL DRAFTSMAN AS THE SCOUT TEAM QB.

Most teams have 20 cheerleaders. McLeod has four. Most schools aren't falling apart. Half of McLeod West's building is crumbling and roped off. Most teams look forward to next year. McLeod doesn't have a next year. Money problems and dive-bombing enrollment numbers mean this year will almost certainly be its last.

And yet somehow, some way, the McLeod Falcons are 4-1, ranked sixth in the state and have their eyes set on toppling fifth-ranked, 62-player Cathedral from New Ulm this Friday night.

If the Falcons win that game and the two after it, they could be conference champs. It's the trailer whipping the tornado, a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle winning Indy.

"We all know this is the last time we're going to wear these uniforms," says starting fullback Zak Neubarth, a junior. "Right now, football is about the only thing keeping this school going."

Other coaches look over at McLeod's sideline, notice that there are eight boys standing on it, and ask McLeod's coach (and Zak's dad) Bill Neubarth, "How do you even practice?"

Good question. Just to scrimmage, Neubarth has to use his coaches, former players and even a local draftsman as the scout team QB. Of course, that guy can't get to the field until 4:15, so they have to wait.

The problem is simple. McLeod West was formed in 1992 by the consolidation of the high schools from two towns—Stewart and Brownton—which happen to despise each other. It was like putting the Hatfields and McCoys in a phone booth. Stewart parents didn't want their kids in with Brownton kids and vice versa.

"The kids get along great, but the parents just can't seem to co-exist," says McLeod West principal Mike McNulty. "They love to spread rumors about each other. They love to stab each other when they're not looking."

This year, it reached panic mode. McLeod had 426 students at the start of last year, around 242 at the start of this. It'll be $2 million in debt by the end of the school year. A new tax that's on the November ballot could get it enough money to keep going, but the last four times it's been put to vote, it's failed.

But wouldn't it be something if The Little Football Team That Could turned it all around? What if these outnumbered kids and their XXL-sized hearts gave everybody such joy that the parents suddenly woke up, buried the hatchet and passed the bond? I mean, there's a chance, right?

"Slim to none," says McNulty. "The bond will fail. This is it for these boys."

Buzzkill.

Undermanned and undersized, McLeod goes into every game an underdog the size of the one in the Macy's parade. How it beats powerhouses like second-ranked, 52-player Wabasso (22-20) is a mystery the equivalent of Janet Reno winning Playmate of the Year. They've mostly done it behind the iron legs and will of Zak, who often carries the ball up to 40 times a game, and a set of teammates who seem to lack the quit gene.

"By the end of the game, the boys are so exhausted they can't even get up off the field," Coach Neubarth says. "I worry about Zak sometimes. You should see the bruises on his back and legs. Put it this way—we go through a LOT of ice."

The one game they lost this season was to a team that showed up running a no-huddle offense. It's hard enough never coming off the field, but never getting to rest during a huddle? If Cathedral saw that film, McLeod might be toast this weekend.

But so what if the Falcons lose? Losing together will be more worthy and memorable and honorable for these kids than any wins next season, when they are all wearing uniforms for schools they hardly know.

"We say it all the time," Zak says, "This is the last year we're going to play with our friends. So let's make the most of it.'"

Actually, Zak, it doesn't matter what happens Friday.

In my screenplay, you already won. In overtime. On a broken leg.

Jessica Alba OK as your girlfriend?

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Sounds like they are having a strong year despite all the issues happening at the school.

hopefully the kids that arent seniors transfer to hutch. hutch could use some players like that.

Great story by ESPN

Thanks for the post. I lived in Stewart from '55 to '66, played junior high football the last 2 years I was there. Sounds just like our junior high team. Always interesting to hear what's going on out there.

Incredible story. Love it. Unfortunate the parents can't set their differences aside for their kids.

Rick Reilly is a great writer. He used to write for SI and would write about the most inspirational stories and very humorous ones too. I know this isn't the only story he has written about Minnesota sports. It's a wonderful story.

Pretty sad when your talking high school!

Great story, a pretty good football team, but personally it was over hyped. Mcloud West is never an underdog when they step on a feild, even with only 19 guys on the team, they have just as many if not more quality athletes than other teams in there confrence.

Not to steal their thunder, but it just gets to me that they are getting national attention. Do you really think ESPN dug this up on their own or did some parent make a call and get the ball rolling?

Maybe I'm just upset they make my high school look like the big bad giants in the article

When you only have 19 guys on the team and several of them are 120 pound freshman I think that is a real accomplishment. Traditionally McLeod West have been good but they have lost most of their enrollment to open enrollment due to not being able to pass a referendum.

Give some credit where credit is due.

Give some credit ya sure, but with only 1 freshman, yes 1, thats what the roster says. Most teams in class A feild about 35-40 guys, at least half are under classmen, so the varsity feilds a team of about 20, Mcloud isn't that far short of that. It would make practice hard and not many people get a breather on special teams but alot of good players never leave the game in this class of football anyways. I only came off the feild for kickoff my 2 years of varsity ball....

I just think it is an over hyped story. You can have your opinion and I'll have mine.

The Southern MN confrence is down from past years this year as well making winning a few games much easier.

riverrat. shoot me a email please.

address?

Or just email me, nick_domeier77@hotmail.com

bassnspear@yahoo

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