One-hour television documentary produced by WPBY-TV in Huntington. West Virginia. The film uses a blend of narration by David Diles, rare film footage of early games. photographs and interviews with players of the era to trace the experiences of two southern Ohio football teams from 1919 to 1934. The Ironton Tanks and the Portsmouth Spartans. on whom the documentary focuses. were typical of the semi-pro teams which flourished in the 1920's. Their experiences provide a means to explore one manisfestation of the small town boosterism of the 1920's and of the impact of the depression in the 1930's. Moreover, the film suggests that the teams reflected not only a different era in football but in American society in general: a time when a team of school teachers could challenge and beat the best in the NFL; a time when a small town's resources were adequate to compete with major cities.
Broadcast In: English Duration: 0:59:52