WOODLAWN is a fact and faith based drama directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin. Jon helps co-write this narrative of a struggling high school coach Tandy Gerelds(Nic Nishop)as he tries with all his resources to bring a newly integrated football team together. Birmingham, Alabama in the early 1970's is suffering racial tension and strife weighing heavily on a football team yearning for a championship and a school just trying not to be dismantled for good.
Coach Gerelds is asked by a motivating sports chaplain Hank(Sean Astin)for permission to talk to the entire team with a radical idea; a ten minute talk became a two hour session that had the majority of the team give themselves over to the word of Christ. Challenges are being met and racial tensions on the team tone down with the team actually becoming winners. One player in particular, running back Tony Nathan(Caleb Castille), becomes confident that God has a special plan for him. The team becomes explosive with Nathan's playing exploits which are noticed by Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant(Jon Voight).
Christianity will play a major role in this story as the team begins to succeed and racial barriers are broken down; that in turn helps Gereld's struggle with the secular school board. Tony's star will shine brighter and brighter. To be exact, Nathan ended up playing for Coach Bryant at Alabama.
Real nice hard hitting football action along with a decent soundtrack featuring "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and "Jesus Is Just Alright" by the Doobie Brothers.
Also in the cast: C. Thomas Howell, Richard Kohnke, Blake Burgess, Kelly Grayson, Harry Alexander, Joy Brunson and Stephen Chester Prince.
NOTE: Tony Nathan would go from playing four years for the Tide to the NFL Miami Dolphins from 1979 to 1987. He would establish himself an allusive running back and pass receiver.
Coach Gerelds is asked by a motivating sports chaplain Hank(Sean Astin)for permission to talk to the entire team with a radical idea; a ten minute talk became a two hour session that had the majority of the team give themselves over to the word of Christ. Challenges are being met and racial tensions on the team tone down with the team actually becoming winners. One player in particular, running back Tony Nathan(Caleb Castille), becomes confident that God has a special plan for him. The team becomes explosive with Nathan's playing exploits which are noticed by Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant(Jon Voight).
Christianity will play a major role in this story as the team begins to succeed and racial barriers are broken down; that in turn helps Gereld's struggle with the secular school board. Tony's star will shine brighter and brighter. To be exact, Nathan ended up playing for Coach Bryant at Alabama.
Real nice hard hitting football action along with a decent soundtrack featuring "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan and "Jesus Is Just Alright" by the Doobie Brothers.
Also in the cast: C. Thomas Howell, Richard Kohnke, Blake Burgess, Kelly Grayson, Harry Alexander, Joy Brunson and Stephen Chester Prince.
NOTE: Tony Nathan would go from playing four years for the Tide to the NFL Miami Dolphins from 1979 to 1987. He would establish himself an allusive running back and pass receiver.