MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - The Mid-South made quite an impact at the Oscars. Two Mid-South based films were nominated for Best Documentary Feature, with 'Undefeated' winning the Academy Award.
With a name like Undefeated, how could they lose?
Former Manassas High School head coach Bill Courtney and his wife were there at the Oscars for the big announcement; he talked with ABC 24 News before he left.
Undefeated is a movie about much more than football. It's a documentary about players and coaches at Manassas High School beating the odds on and off the field.
One of the films central figures, coach Bill Courtney, spoke about the films Best Documentary nomination at the 84th Academy Awards. "Truthfully, honestly I represent, you know, hundreds of people, scores of people, who helped this program do what it did."
Courtney says he's soaking in the experience, but isn't letting all of the new found attention get to his head.
"We got to allow ourselves to enjoy it, but we got to also not take ourselves too seriously. It's one of those things that I don't want my family or the kids of the team to define us."
In the Bluff City, hundreds were in attendance for Oscar Night America benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities, including Montrel Brown, who was a player on that team and played a pivotal role in the film.
"It's just a great experience and it's overwhelming for all of us," he said.
Courtney says for himself and all the young men involved, the film will serve as a snap shot of the good that comes with hard work.
"It's a great record of a wonderful season we spent together and it's going to make for some good memories. We can sit around 30 years from now and talk about."
