A small, unstable town in Texas is obsessed with their high school football team to the point of being dangerous to its residents. When the town's star tailback, Boobie Miles, suffers a terrible injury during the opening game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town's long-dormant social problems erupt. It is up to the inspirational powers of new coach Gary Gaines to inculcate a feeling of self-respect and honor in the other team members — and, by extension, the entire community — as the season progresses.