HBO’s “BS High” Documentary Explores an Infamous High School Football Scandal, Premieres August 23
The much-anticipated HBO original documentary film, “BS High,” is set to premiere on Wednesday, August 23 at 9:00-10:40 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe, and executive produced by Adam McKay, the documentary delves into the perplexing world of high school football and an astonishing scandal that captured national attention.
“BS High” centers around the shocking events that unfolded during a nationally televised high school football game on August 29, 2021. The game pitted the well-known IMG Academy against the lesser-known Bishop Sycamore High School. The match concluded in a staggering 58-0 victory for IMG Academy, but the real drama was just beginning. The ensuing media frenzy questioned the legitimacy of Bishop Sycamore High School and its enigmatic head coach, Roy Johnson.
The documentary unravels the captivating narrative behind one of the most puzzling sagas in the realm of high school sports. It delves into the intense world of football prep programs, where the stakes are high, reputations are on the line, and the dreams of young athletes hang in the balance. With unprecedented access to Roy Johnson, “BS High” takes viewers on a journey through the inception of a fabricated high school—a creation of Johnson’s imaginative storytelling. Johnson, a self-proclaimed “honest liar” lacking academic credentials and apparent football coaching experience, captures attention with his charisma and unorthodox approach.
As the documentary unfolds, it presents a contrast between Johnson’s pursuit of the spotlight and the lives he influenced. Johnson’s actions shattered the aspirations of the teenagers he mentored, tarnished their reputations, and deceived their families. The film casts light on the intense competition for football success, the alarming lack of accountability for large-scale fraud, and the far-reaching aftermath of one individual’s pathological actions.
The documentary features interviews with key figures, including former colleagues John Branham and Andre Peterson, journalists Andrew King and Bomani Jones, high school sports investigator Ben Ferree, and former players and their families from Bishop Sycamore.
“BS High” is presented by HBO Sports Documentaries and directed by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe. It is produced by Jack Turner and Spencer Paysinger, with executive producers including Adam McKay and Todd Schulman for Hyperobject Industries, Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini for SMAC Entertainment, Jay Peterson and Todd Lubin for Boat Rocker’s Matador Content, and Ankur Chawla and Alex Mather for The Athletic. HBO’s executive producers include Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Bentley Weiner, with coordinating producer Abtin Motia.
The documentary originally made its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, generating anticipation and intrigue among audiences. With its compelling narrative and unprecedented access, “BS High” promises to shed light on a captivating story that shook the world of high school sports.
