My knowledge of football consists of essentially nothing. There is a ball, two teams, and the intention—like most sports—is to accumulate the highest number of points. Everything between the two end zones is entirely a gray area. Flags, downs, positions, and extra points are of no concern to me.

But the moment D1 commit and Valdosta quarterback Jake Garcia stepped into the TV frame, I was utterly awestruck. My jaw essentially unhinged and dropped down about seven inches: he was absolutely beautiful.

The expectations I had for the TV show, “Titletown High,” were essentially vacant. My initial action plan was to play the show as background noise while I do my homework and occasionally look up when there’s a ripped football player, drenched in sweat, apparent on my screen. That arrangement was nowhere near what happened. 

I am an admirer of all things regarding teenage drama. Whether it’s about someone else, or a person I’ve never even met, I soak it up like a dry sponge. When the love triangle of Lenley Gross, Zoey Watson, and Grayson Leavy became relevant, I was hooked. Never in my life could I picture a documentary TV series encasing so much intriguing gossip about people I’ve never met before. Who knew a guy would date a girl upwards of seven times, break up with her, and still cheat on his new girlfriend with that same girl?

Along with pursuing nine Valdosta High School students’ personal lives, it also chases five of their football careers. With new head coach Rush Propst, and USC commit Jake Garcia, the boys conclude that they have their first state championship win in the bag. But after immense issues with transfer rules, recruiting, and money laundering scandals, the team loses both of their secret weapons and becomes hopeless, leaving these boys completely crushed.

In terms of the sequencing, flow, and plot of this show, I was highly impressed. The way the documentary was filmed throughout the Wildcats season from start to finish was extremely impressive, and the plot—full of twists and turns—was very interesting. By plot, I mean not just Jake Garcia, but the grueling training and hardships the Wildcats of Valdosta High School endured throughout their season. 

For these athletes, football is the center of their universe. Most of them are pleading for a college offer in an effort to depart from the dry, chaotic community of Valdosta and escape to a better society to continue growing their careers. Throughout this series, every single boy put forth 110% in everything they do, trying their hardest to be noticed by whoever possible. Although I don’t personally know them, their drive and love for the sport shine through and don’t go unnoticed.   

Even though there isn’t much room for personal interpretation throughout this documentary as there is in fictional TV show series, it is incredibly compelling to listen about what football means to these boys. Regardless of whether you are a football fan, an appreciator of gorgeous men, a lover of teenage drama, or even all three, there is something to appreciate about this show for everyone who stumbles about it. 

I still do not fully understand football, nor what a first down, flag, or what any singular position means, but I absolutely enjoyed every second of this hyper and entertaining show and would recommend Titletown High to anyone of any age, football enthusiast or not.