Plot Synopsis

This spinoff of FRIDAY NIGHT TYKES focuses on Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where youth football is not a pastime, but a birthright, and young children are pressured to become superstars, not just from parents and coaches, but their entire communities. Youth football embodies the essence of these small working class towns. The game acts as a bond connecting the community culturally, socially and emotionally. In a place where the majority of the population has next to nothing, youth football is everything. However, these small towns are drawn together by the great tradition of football, which serves as a light in an often bleak and unspoken area of the country. Examining the heart of football, these 10 and 11-year-olds ambitiously fight for not just their communities but also a future in the home where some of football's most notable legends began. This Western region of Pennsylvania was once home to NFL greats like Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, and Darrelle Revis. Despite the odds, each team holds onto their passion for the game, in hopes to continue the legacy. The youth teams chronicled in FRIDAY NIGHT TYKES: STEEL COUNTRY include:

Aliquippa Lil Quips: Aliquippa is arguably the most respected football organization in Beaver County, not only because their community has produced football legends -- but because every year their youth football teams dominate in almost every single age group.

Ambridge Lil Bridgers: Looking to remove the "razzle dazzle" out of the offense and return to "smash mouth, ground-and-pound," new Head Coach Moses Cox is ready to keep Ambridge a powerhouse in the league. They also have a secret weapon, a former female pro football player on the coaching staff, Felicia Mycyk.

Beaver Falls Lil Tigers: "Coach Teen's" style of coaching is to teach the kids through positive reinforcement. His philosophy is to keep the kids engaged. He will never bench a kid for making a mistake. Beaver Falls made it to the championship game last year (against Central Valley), but lost in overtime -- and the coaches and parents are still bitter about it.

Blackhawk Lil Cougars: These coaches and kids have been working together for six years and it shows on the field. They are tight, disciplined, and play smart. Head Coach Chaz Jannuzi feels this is their year to strike -- its championship or bust.

Central Valley Lil Warriors: The defending champs and the team everyone seems to love to hate. Coach Todd Alexander is no-nonsense. He runs his practice like a drill sergeant. He's loud, intimidating, and all business! And it seems to be working, because Central Valley hasn't lost a game since 2012.

Monaca Lil Indians: As the oldest youth football program in Beaver County, Monaca is also the smallest team. The Lil Indians often lose their best prospects to the larger, more affluent Central Valley. On Monday, April 10, 2017 at 11:05pm ET/PT, Season 2 of FRIDAY NIGHT TYKES: STEEL COUNTRY on a new network: USA Network. The eight-episode second season reveals how this working class community connects culturally, socially and emotionally through youth football. Formerly the backbone of industrial America, these struggling towns maintain pride, dedication and perseverance through shutdown steel mills. Western Pennsylvania is the home to many football greats such as Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana. With such achievement from this state, the coaches, parents and fans of FRIDAY NIGHT TYKES: STEEL COUNTRY rally around the tykes in support of their future. In the season opener, "Grow Up and Be Men," another season of football kicks off in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. A Mayor puts his city into the national conversation. Central Valley begins their quest to win another title, and face an early season test from a powerhouse Aliquippa team. While Beaver Falls' quad is stacked with a talented running back and his outspoken father. Teams for Season 2 include:

Central Valley Warriors: After winning the championship in last season's 10-11 year-old Mighty Mite division, head coach Todd Alexander is back coaching the 12-13 year-old Midget Division. A surgical supplies salesman, Todd runs his disciplined Warriors team like a professional organization. Leading the charge on the field is Todd's son Landon Alexander, a 12-year-old running back that may learn the hard way that touchdowns may not come as easily in the bigger, stronger Midget division.

Blackhawk Cougars: Last season's runner ups, the Blackhawk Cougars enter the Midget Division with a new head coach, Nick Shansky, who is also the stepfather of star player Tyler Dietrich. A return to the championship for the rural Cougars is unlikely as they enter the Midgets with mostly 12-year-olds, meaning they will likely be outsized and outmatched by teams with bigger, stronger 13-year-olds. New to the team is running back Josh Hathaway, a 13-year-old with Type 1 Diabetes. Josh is raised by a single dad, Mike, who works as a truck driver. Josh is left in the hands of a caretaker throughout the week while his dad is on the road. But Mike always makes sure to make it back on weekends and has never missed a game.

Aliquippa Quips: One of the most economically challenged communities in Beaver County, Aliquippa also has one of the most enduring football legacies. While the Quips exited the playoffs in the semifinals in the 10-11 year-old Mighty Mite division last season, the 12-13 year-old Midgets have won the championship the last two seasons in a row. They look to three-peat as the Quips have a big, punishing defense and an offense led by star running back Nico Flati. Head coach Hop Jeter has been confined to a wheelchair since 2001, when he was shot during an altercation. Mayor Dwan Walker is also back as an assistant coach on the Midget team. The Quips are the early favorites to win the championship.

Beaver Falls Tigers: Led by head coach Albee Hill, the Beaver Falls Tigers figure to be one of the more competitive teams in the Midget Division this season. On the field, the Tigers will hand the ball to superstar running back Josh Hough, who's dad Jason has had him on a regulated football regimen since a very young age. Also of note is quarterback Chase Thornton, who's dad Ken was a former Aliquippa high school football legend, having been Ty Law's quarterback. Ken raises his family in Aliquippa, yet has his son play in Beaver Falls because he believes it is a safer community. He also homeschools his kids and is a self proclaimed "prophet" and "street preacher."

Sto Rox Vikings: Just on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, the Sto Rox Vikings play in an urban setting plagued by crime and poverty. Struggling to maintain numbers within the organization, Sto Rox, is led by only two coaches, Matt Chapman, who is also the volunteer fire chief in the community, and Keith Bailey, a forklift operator who works the night shift to ensure that he can still coach football. The Vikings will likely struggle to compete against the bigger, more organized teams in the Midget Division, but for Matt and Keith, their mission is to provide kids football as an alternative to the dangers of the streets.
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On Monday, May 29, 2017 at 11pm ET/PT, USA Network premiered the Season 2 finale of FRIDAY NIGHT TYKES: STEEL COUNTRY. In the season ender, "The City Is on Our Shoulders," a champion is crowned in Beaver County when Central Valley takes on Aliquippa. As election day nears, a former President of the United States comes to town.