The Rivals' Filmmaker and Coaches on 207

 THE RIVALS

THE RIVALS is more than a film about high school football and competition on the field, it's a story of the lessons we teach our kids about winning and losing in life. We see it played out in these two towns, on the field for sure, but more poignantly in the locker rooms, in the homes and on the streets. It happens to take place in Maine but this same drama occurs in just about every town and city in America. At least once a year on every high school schedule, the town that has everything meets the town that is struggling to get by and the American story plays out on the field and in the grandstands.

THE RIVALS AWARDS:

Silver Chris Award at the Columbus International Film + Video Festival
Best Picture at the Phoenix Film Festival
Best Feature Documentary at the LA Reel Film Fest
Audience Choice Award Best Feature Documentary at the Woods Hole Film Festival

THE RIVALS DVD is available on Amazon and iTunes.

 

Kirk Wolfinger is the Director/Producer/Writer of THE RIVALS.  He has been a filmmaker for 25 years, and has won two Emmys and a Peabody Award.

Coach Jim Aylward grew up in Rumford, Maine, and went away to college to earn a teaching degree, determined to avoid working in the mill like his father and grandfather did. A high school football quarterback, Aylward retained his love for football and began coaching in some capacity until he earned the head-coaching job at Mountain Valley High School. After nearly 20 years he has amassed an impressive record and hung a few championship banners in the gymnasium. Most importantly, Coach Aylward does his best to prepare his players to be successful in life by excelling on the field. When Cape Elizabeth showed up in 2006 and challenged Mountain Valley's supremacy, Coach Aylward knew the Capers would be a thorn in his side for years to come, and nobody wanted to lose to the Capers.

Coach Aaron Filieo grew up in South Portland, Maine, located between the state's biggest city, Portland, and one of its wealthiest suburbs, Cape Elizabeth. At 5' 7", Filieo led his high school football team to a state championship in his playing days as an All-State offensive lineman. Filieo was heavily influenced by his high school coach who helped mold him into the hard working man he is today. Earning his teaching degree allowed him to coach football and so he returned to South Portland to apprentice under his old high school coach. Filieo was working for the Cape Elizabeth school district when the head coaching football position was born and he seized the reins in hopes of building a program like the one he came from. A brand new football team in a "soccer town" provides enough challenges without having to contend with the likes of a powerhouse like Mountain Valley every year. But, Coach Filieo's tenacity was contagious and his team soon became as tough and hungry as he was and in three short years they found themselves competing with the best, much to the dismay of Mountain Valley.

For more information on THE RIVALS click here:  THE RIVALS

For more information on Lone Wolf Documentary Group click here:  LONE WOLF 

For more information on the Mountain Valley Football Team click here:  MOUNTAIN VALLEY

For more information on the Cape Elizabeth Football Team click here: CAPE ELIZABETH