ESPN has announced Varsity Inc., a new Two-A-Days-like docu-reality series that will focus on Louisiana's West Monroe High School varsity football team, is tentatively scheduled to premiere on Thursday, November 29 at 11PM ET/PT on ESPN2.
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The previously announced six-episode series will follow the West Monroe Rebels -- who were Louisiana's 1-5A District Champions in 2005 and finished second during the 2006 season -- as they prepare and compete in the 2007 season.
The team -- which draws an average of 13,757 fans to each Friday night home game -- has won six state championships and two national crowns since 1993, according to ESPN.
"Football is an undeniable presence in our culture; Varsity Inc. depicts what it's like to play the game at a consistently high level," said Jason Sciavicco, whose Horizon Entertainment produces Varsity Inc. and created MTV's Two-A-Days. "This series will give viewers an in-depth look at the stress, the drama and the dedication these coaches and kids experience. It's amazing to see how far they will push themselves to achieve success both on and off the field."
Varsity Inc. represents the first "comprehensive effort" for ESPN Content Development, the newly-established ESPN unit that includes the remnants of ESPN Original Entertainment, the banner that The Contender's second season aired under (The Contender's third season already began airing under the ESPN Content Development banner when it premiered last month).
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"Varsity Inc. hits at the core of what ECD endeavors will be going forward: it's a compelling, impassioned story that goes beyond just sports, and offers high quality, multi-purpose content for a variety of our businesses," said Keith Clinkscales, ESPN's senior vice president of content development and enterprises.
Two-A-Days aired two seasons on MTV and followed Alabama's Hoover High School during the 2005 and 2006 football seasons.
In June, two Hoover High teachers claimed to know of grade changings and other academic improprieties involving former seniors who had also suited-up for the school's Buccaneers football program. As a result former Northern District of Alabama judge Sam C. Pointer Jr., who served in that capacity for 30 years, has been leading an investigation into the allegations as well as other concerns.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio