1. “No piece of ground in Messina was more revered than The Field. Not even the cemetery.” (Grisham 3)

This shows how The Field was so important to the people and what it ment to them.

2. “In those days, Eddie Rake had more political clout in Messina than all the politicians combined.” (5)

This quote shows how popular and influential Rake was.

3. “Man, you were the greatest” (56)

This quote shoes us how good Neely was as a football player.

4. “Screamer looks like an arguing high-dollar call girl, which she probably is. Cameron is nothing but class.” (98)

Neely realizes the huge mistake he made for leaving Cameron.

5. “Rake Field was dark.” (138)

Once the field lights turned off, the men knew Rake had died.

6. “Most of the Spartans sitting quietly in the bleachers did not know Messina without Eddie Rake.” (138)

Rake was very influential and a very important part to all the former players because of the lessons he taught them and what he put them through.

7. “There’s something magical about the first love, Cameron, something I’ll miss forever.” (155)

Neely is telling Cameron that he still misses her badly, but she doesn’t wasnt to hear it because she’s still heartbroken from when Neely left her in highschool.

8. “Rare is the Coach who can motivate players to spend their lives seeking his approval.” (201)

Rake had a special way of pushing his players and getting what he wanted out of them.

9. “Eddie Rake allowed us, players and fans, to touch greatness, to be a part of it.” (209)

The closest thing to greatness in the town was Coach Rake and he brought the town and people along with him to so that they could get a little taste of greatness.

10. “Do I love Eddie Rake, or do I hate him?” (220)

Many in the town struggled with this question because almost everyone had been on both sides.