Yates, a perennial Texas High School football power, and one of the few remaining historically black high schools in Texas had challenged for state championship honors for years but had failed to win it all. In 1985, the team achieved its potential and steamrolled the state in legendary fashion. This historic season culminated for Yates in an epic showdown and victory over the reigning kings of Texas high school football, the Odessa Permian Panthers of “Friday Night Lights” fame. “The Great Yates,” a documentary from Dallas film producer Donald Pinkard and director Byron Hunter
Don Pinkard is the co-owner of Hidden History DFW (HHDFW) along with his wife (Jocelyn). The Pinkards decided to create HHDFW following 35 years in business and educational careers respectively. The mission of HDFW is to provide positive stories related to African American culture. These positive stories are told via historical tours, documentary films, educational lectures & presentations, and providing apparel that raises awareness of African American history. HHDFW served as Executive Producers for the awarding winning documentary, which was selected as a finalist in the 2020 National Black Film Festival. The film was also recognized at the Dallas International Film Festival in 2020.