If you’re up for something grittier than HBO’s Hard Knocks, you should check out the first two seasons of Netflix’s killer doc series Last Chance U, which debuted a decade ago last month. Nothing’s manufactured on LCU, and it still holds up.
During the show’s first two seasons, LCU traveled to tiny, rural Scooba, Mississippi (population 700) to chronicle East Mississippi Community College’s football season.
Never heard of ‘em? No one has. Junior college or JUCO football is off the radar, not televised at least nationally, rarely if ever covered in any media. East Mississippi granted LCU full, unlimited access. Game on!
Brittany Wagner (photo courtesy GQ)
In the unknown universe of JUCO football, East Mississippi is a powerhouse. Many of its players are talented enough to play at the Division 1 level, say at Alabama or Penn State. Unfortunately, something – poor academics, bad behavior, sometimes both – has relegated them to this college football purgatory. For most, if not all, it’s their last shot.
It’s way bigger than football, and the stakes can’t get any higher. Indeed, without preaching, LCU explores race and education.
Ultimately, East Mississippi’s academic counselor Brittany Wagner wins the first two seasons. At every turn, she’s there to uplift and guide the East Mississippi underdogs. The bar is set awfully low for these “student-athletes.” Ms. Wagner will forever be remembered for tirelessly pleading with her charges to bring a pencil to their classes.
In short, there are much bigger issues to tackle, enough to fill an entire, separate season without football.
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Jon Hart is the author of Man versus Ball: One Ordinary Guy and His Extraordinary Sports Adventures.
