VICKSBURG, Miss. (WLBT) – In the summer of 2023, the journey started for the Warren Central Football team as they were met with something unexpected. Longtime head football coach Chad McMullin suddenly passed away on July 15, 2023.
This tragedy not only brought the team together, but it also inspired one student to show what can happen when all 11 brothers take the field for something bigger than just a game.
11 Brothers is the name of the movie created and directed by Warren Central High junior Evan Farrell. It was a 10-month project with over 20,000 video files captured to make this possible.
“It’s been a huge passion project. I’m so glad it’s evolved into what it has become,” he said.
In an attempt to honor late head coach McMullin, the team rallied around Evan to join the team… in a different way.
“It was originally pitched by my buddy Zack Evans, and he said, ‘Why don’t you come out to summer practice and film some stuff?’ “We were watching Hard Knocks and I was saying, ‘I can do that.’ “So, it originally started with that and it just snowballed,” Farrell said.
One player was affected more than any other, though. Coach McMullin’s son, Ben, couldn’t believe Evan was making a film in his dad’s honor.
“Whenever I heard that he was actually going to make the movie in honor of [my] dad… I kind of teared up a little bit because, I mean, that dude was my everything,” Ben said. “He was my best friend and my dad all in one.”
Those who allowed Evan to make this possible can’t wait for the film and hope you walk away inspired.
“To see those kids’ work be put on film, I think it’s gonna be really special for them and to give people a little bit better insight about what goes on in a football team and what it takes to be that successful. It’s not just a highlight tape. You know, it’s a culmination of all the work they put in all year,” Warren Central High School Head Principal Andrew Rainer said.
The official premiere will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Warren Central football field on the jumbotron.
It is free admission to everyone.
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