read what these sports experts have to say this book

  Down, Set, Win is a delightful coming-of-age story. Kirk 

Eriksen filled the Redcrest High Tigers’ pursuit of the 

1982 state football championship with the right amount 

of sweat, pain, tension and drama. Best buddies Kirk 

and Scott are obsessed with football and sex, not 

always in that order, and Eriksen depicts the 

relationships between coaches and players, boys 

and girls, and blacks and whites in the year 15 B.C. 

(Before Cellphones) with humor, grace, and 

the accuracy of a social historian.

—Ivan Maisel, author of American Coach: The Triumph 

and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy 

• Former ESPN and Sports Illustrated columnist 

• FWAA Hall of Famer • Member, College 

Football Playoff Selection Committee

The descriptions of the scenes and characters of Down, 

Set, Win perfectly paint the picture of small-town 

football in the Deep South. The story holds your 

attention and has you pulling for the Redcrest Tigers 

during their journey from a winless program to an 

eventual state championship. But even more than that, it 

brings to life what the players and coaches dealt with 

off the field through their experiences, making it much 

more than just a story about a football team. It's obvious 

Kirk Eriksen wrote from the heart in letting readers 

inside such an influential time in his life.

—Jon Johnson, Sports Editor, Dothan Eagle (37 years) 

• Alabama Sports Writers Association Legend 

• Alabama Sports & Adventure Hall of Fame inductee 

• Veteran high school & college sports reporter

  Down Set Win is classic small town high school 

football and coming of age tale, vividly told and 

brilliantly written. Full of characters, laughter and 

even romance, it will grab you from the bus ride to 

the first game of the season right through to 

the dramatic conclusion. This is just a fun read.

—Dan Wetzel, New York Times Best Selling Author 

• Senior Writer, ESPN 

• U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame inductee

  Down, Set, Win is for everyone who ever navigated 

high school through all the uncertainties, social 

adjustments and self-doubt. It culminates in more 

than a tale of winning football. It is a journey of 

discovery and one that will have you cheering for 

Redcrest, and maybe even yourself.

—Lance Griffin, host of the Game Plan Radio 

Show in Dothan, Alabama • Former College 

Sports Reporter, Dothan Eagle