'89 Blocks,' documentary on East St. Louis Flyers' 2016 football champs, debuts Sunday

ST. LOUIS -- The story of the East St. Louis High Flyers' surprising run to the 2016 state football title isn't just a local narrative. It's a national story about a community in crisis and a football team reaching unpredictable heights. And it will be on national television Sunday.

"89 Blocks" airs at 3:30 p.m. Sunday on FOX and again at 9 p.m. on FS1. It is the first film from FOX Sports' new documentary series "Magnify" and is executive produced by Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James and Maverick Carter.

"89 Blocks" chronicles a story that is equally about the community of East St. Louis and its high school football team, which had fallen on hard times and was coming off a 3-6 season in 2015. A year later, as cameras embedded with the team throughout the 2016 season captured, the Flyers went 14-0 en route to the Illinois Class 7A state championship.

One focus of the film is Jeff Thomas, now a freshman wide receiver for the 10-1 Miami Hurricanes. Thomas embodies the hope of players who want to see what lies beyond the 89 blocks that constitute East St. Louis. Ultimately, "89 Blocks" is a testament to hope for a better life.