SAMMY: It's Mojo Radio back on the air.
SIamming Sammy here. FootbaII time in Texas.
Let's go to the phone. We got Butch on the Iine with us.
Butch, what about it? We'II have a great year, orwhat?
BUTCH: How you doing?
SAMMY: Good. TeII me about this season.
BUTCH: We're gonna have a heII of a season this year.
WincheII's gonna take us aII the way.
Deep slant trips stacked right?
Primary receiver's inside flanker.
"Z" burst.
My linemen are in 80 pass block.
How deep is your drop?
Five steps.
Trips stacked left?
lnside 8-yard curl.
You gonna get a scholarship?
Yes, Mom.
"Z" receiver.
SAMMY: It's Mojo Radio, SIamming Sammy,
and I've got Jerry on the Iine
from the Sonic down there. Jerry, there's a Iot oftaIk
that Coach Gaines, with that $60,000 a year saIary...
JERRY: I know where we're going with this.
SAMMY: He makes a IittIe bit more than the principaI ofthe schooI...
JERRY: Just Iast week,
I was reading this book about Babe Ruth
and they asked him if he deserved his saIary
way back in 1910 or 1904, whatever it was
and he said, "Hey, you know..."
They said, "You make more than the President."
He says, "WeII, you know, can the President hit a basebaII?"
I'm teIIing you, Coach Gary Gaines,
they couId give him $100,000/year
and ifthese boys go undefeated,
it's worth every singIe doIIar.
I teII you what, the principaI of Permian don't get 28,000 peopIe...
MlKE: l have two to three seconds of protection
if my linemen are in 80 pass block.
Wide receiver?
He runs, burst route.
lf he sees covertwo, he bends outside 8 to 12 yards.
20 yards, and runs straight to the sideline.
Are you ready forthis, Mike?
(CAR ENGlNE REVVlNG)
(HIP-HCP SCNG PLAYING)
lVORY: Yo. BOOBlE: lvory.
Ready to work? DON: What's up, Boobie?
State. State.
State?
BOOBlE: Where your girlfriend at, Water Bug?
CHRlS: Well... BOOBlE: We ain't got a girlfriend yet?
Come on, let's go. Snap it up.
You wanna know why you ain't got a girl yet, Water Bug?
Why?
You got the wrong shoes on, man.
You got on white Adidas.
Everybody know the shoe is Nikes.
Nothing holds a nickel next to Nike.
Ask lvory. Ask Preacher Man.
What kind of shoes on yourfeet don't matter.
Come on, Preacher. Bullshit.
lVORY: Don't matter at all.
You know God made black beautiful.
God made Boobie beautiful, black and strong.
His mouth keeps getting bigger and bigger.
And when Boobie knocks some fools out
Boobie gonna knock them out with black Nikes on his feet.
l could knock you out in a pair offlip-flops.
Yeah, well, l'm gonna knock them outwith Nikes on my feet
and l'm gonna smile when l do.
GAlNES: Let's go. Five minutes.
GAlNES: Get up. Let's go!
How y'all doing up there? You all doing all right?
45, Boobie, that's my nephew out there.
The boy can play some football, l'm telling you.
CHRlS: l think he'll win the Heisman Trophy someday.
REPORTER 1: The Heisman, really?
Yes, sir. You can bet on it.
l got it.
REPORTER 2: Who's you guys' favorite player?
Boobie Miles.
L.V.: He can spin left. He can spin right.
Don't make no difference.
He can block, tackle, score the touchdown, snap the ball
hold the snap and kick the extra point.
Hell, the boywill fill up the Gatorade cooler
walk the dog and paintyour back porch.
l'm telling you, that boy can flat out play football.
And he can pass!
REPORTER 1: Should we believe the hype?
What hype?
The hype about Boobie Miles.
BOOBlE: No, hype is something that's not for real. l'm all real.
CHRlS: l'm Chris Comer. l'm a running back.
REPORTER 1: So that means you're Boobie's backup?
l'm actually Boobie's backup backup. l'm third string right now.
GAlNES: You knowwhich way you're supposed to run?
Yeah, with strong right...
l ain't talking about the play.
l knowwhat the playwas, okay?
Odessa is a small town
and when you screw up, everybody knows about it.
REPORTER 1: Your dad played at Permian.
What's it like to be the son of a local legend?
Hold on to the damn ball, Donny.
Next question.
There it goes!
REPORTER 1: How are your grades, Boobie?
l get straightA's. l'm an athlete.
ln what subject?
There's only one subject. lt's football.
Ain't no other subject, you know?
Hut!
You sure he's part ofyour gene pool, Charlie?
Shit!
Red alert, everybody.
REPORTER 1: What about the expectations
of coaching a team like this in a community like this?
Well, l guess
there's always a surprise ortwo in every community.
Just concentrate on hanging on the ball. Both hands.
Hey, Donny.
Come here. What's the problem?
Get offthe field, Dad.
Why can'tyou hold on to the football?
What's so God damn hard about holding on to it?
l'm sorry.
All you gotta do is hold the ball, and you can't.
Tell me why you can't do it.
That's all l wanna know.
l'll try better next time. Come on.
FLlPPY: Charlie!
CHARLlE: Don'tyou walk away from me.
Don'tyou walk away from me when l'm talking to you.
Tell me why you can't do it.
FLlPPY: Enough.
Tell me. Answer a question.
MlKE: Mr. Billingsley.
lt's the first day of practice.
FLlPPY: This is practice. Seriously.
Enough. Charlie!
CHARLlE: Embarrassing me out here.
Jesus Christ.
lt's all right, Don.
MlKE: lt's all right. Don't worry about it. Here we go.
Slot right. 38...
Billingsley, you ain't gotta worry about holding on to the ball.
Why's that? 'Cause you ain't gonna get it.
Your job is to be blocking for Boobie.
l don't care ifyour daddy is overthere crying.
DON: You never shut up, do you?
DON: Ourteam's been playing with each otherfor a long time
and we got the brotherhood part of it down pretty much.
REPORTER 1: People here at Permian are already predicting
a State Championship.
ls there any pressure to that foryou guys?
Any time they start predicting the State Championships
there's always pressure, believe me.
You guys don't have a lot of size.
How can you make up forthat?
We're gonna rely on our speed
discipline.
Come on, lvory. You're in the game now.
REPORTER: Do football players get special treatment here?
What do you have to do to be a better football playerthis year?
Do you enjoy playing football?
(PLAYERS GRUNTlNG)
You quit reading your press clippings, all right?
Because you're smaller, and you're gonna be smaller everyweek.
Yo, Boobie Miles!
lt is hard to be humble.
Ain't gonna be no growth spurt between now and the first game.
REPORTER: Where does all that anger come from?
They're gonna underestimate you every single week.
We teach you this technique for a reason.
We do not do this to make our heads rattle.
You're gonna use your mind.
You're gonna play with your heart. Come on.
That's what you're gonna use to win the State Championship.
Get up, lvory.
GAlNES: lt's a good day, gentlemen.
lt's a good day to think about responsibility.
lt's a good day to ask yourself
if on a personal level, you're willing to accept that.
lfyou're willing to accept the responsibility
thatyou have to protect this team
and this school and this town.
And make no mistake about it, gentlemen
we are in the business of protecting this town.
We're in the business ofwinning.
The expectations couldn't be any higher.
We will win State.
Can you be perfect?
(CAR HORN HONKlNG)
Mojo!
(PEOPLE CHEERlNG)
No, l'm all right.
Come on, Mike. Live a little.
CHAVEZ: He's not going out, either.
DON: Yeah, he is. Mike, you're going out tonight.
lf l have anything to say about it, you're gonna get laid, too.
Billingsley! Billingsley, party at Taylor's house, now!
You better be there. Gonna getwasted.
Party at Taylor's.
lsn't that guy, like, 35?
Mike, here's your mom's food.
How much?
Don'tworry about it. lt's on us.
How's she doing?
You never give me free food, David.
l just gave you free food.
Yeah, l forgot about that.
Say hi to your mom.
Yes, sir.
Stay out ofjail, Billingsley.
You're not going home, Mike.
l ain't going out drunk fooling.
How about l bring your mom dinner so you can come outwith us?
Because we'll get laid, get drunk
and we'll win State, but not tonight. All right?
You been blessed, Mike, because we got a runner.
He's gonna make us all look good.
So l'm telling you to lighten up.
All you gotta do is exist in those two seconds between snap
and you giving Boobie the ball.
So lighten up, Mike.
How you doing? Hey, Brian.
How's old Gaines treating you?
Gotyou boys in line? Goty'all perfect?
We getting there. How's your mama?
Fine, sir.
You mind ifwe get a shot real quick with the kid?
Shot? Yeah, little picture.
Yeah, sure.
All right. Just take a picture.
My baby girl and the next Texas State Championship quarterback.
Where's the damn camera?
Winchell, remember every minute ofthis. l'm telling you right now.
You're 17, but it goes fast.
Don't sleep, don'twaste a second of it.
'Cause before you know it, it's done.
Nothing but babies and memories.
You hear me? Babies and memories.
Smile, sweetheart. Give us a smile. Say "Mojo."
Why don'tyou hold on to herfor a little while?
Baby-sit herfor us for a couple hours.
We're gonna go get a drink.
We'll be back in a little bit.
l'm kidding with you.
Come here, sweetie. Let's go back over to Mama.
Thank you.
Bring it home. Bring one ofthese home.
Getyou one ofthese.
Christian, getyou one ofthese.
Boys? Right here.
Wanna go to that party? Just for a little bit?
(LIVELY RAP MUSIC PLAYING)
What l saw was speed out there, butwhere's the beef, Coach?
l saw me some small boys.
They're small.
l think we're gonna be okay.
On defense?
Yes, ma'am. l firmly believe that.
We got some backs. We're about, what, 180?
Hi, Mike. l'm Melissa.
l knowwho you are.
You do?
Everybody knows who you are.
Everybody knows who you are, Mike.
ls that right?
...lot ofthings: Arab oil embargo...
Oh, God. Don't talk about that.
Midland Lee likes to bust it up the middle.
You're right about that.
You knowwhat you should do?
You should play Boobie Miles defense.
Work him both ways.
l don'twant to get him hurt.
We need him to score touchdowns.
Bullshit. That big nigger ain't gonna break.
You wanna beat Midland Lee, you play him middle linebacker.
Break some heads out there.
Are you ready for Midland Lee, Coach?
(HIP-HCP MUSIC PLAYING)
GlRL: This is not about Boobie.
This is about the fact that we're sitting here while they're up there.
l wanna be with a ball carrier.
Baby, Boobie is...
Don'tyou "Baby, Boobie" me. l wanna see something. You gonna play?
Can l get a touchdown? How about that?
Why don'tyou have a girlfriend?
l don't know.
Why doesn't he have a girlfriend?
ls that a rule or something?
No, not really.
Well, then why don't you have a girlfriend?
Just don't.
Are you gay?
What? ls he gay?
MlKE: l'm not gay.
Can you prove it?
MAN: Coach, here's to the start ofyour second season as our head coach.
We're here. We believe in you and Sharon.
Thank you.
And to sitting here in December as the state champions ofTexas.
Let's bring them hell.
Go, Mojo!
MAN 1: Go get them.
MAN: Bring in some glory, Coach.
(RCCK MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPlNG)
Why isn't anyone allowed atyour house?
MlKE: People come over.
When?
ls your mother really crazy?
No.
Are you crazy?
Do l look crazy?
You look like someone who'll get out of Odessa, Texas one day
and never look back.
Seriouslyworks for me.
See you.
Get in here, boy.
Come on. Get this off.
Don't be getting so prudish.
Stop. We're on your couch.
Something for everybody.
MARlA: Let's go to your room.
Let's go to your bedroom.
Dad, can you just go back to bed, please?
Who's this? This Melissa?
Yes. Maria.
How you doing, Maria?
Damn, girl. You have grown up.
Dad, please. Can you just go back to bed?
What happened to my lamp?
Hey, y'all. What's going on?
Hey, Flippy. Hi, Maria.
What happened to my lamp?
l dropped it.
Yeah, you dropped it.
That makes perfect sense. He dropped it.
Can't hold on to the lamp, can't hold on to the football.
l can hold on to the football, Dad. Now get the hell out of here!
Little fumble.
Can't hold on to the football.
Since when can you hold on to it?
l haven't seen it. You hold on to it today?
Yesterday? You hold on to the football yesterday?
You seen him hold on to the football? How about tomorrow?
You gonna hold on to it tomorrow?
How about now? Hold on to the football.
God damn it, Dad.
DON: Dad. FLlPPY: What are you doing?
Maybe this will help. DON: Dad!
FLlPPY: What are you doing?
Hold on to the football!
Dad! God damn it, Dad! Knock it off!
(PUNCHES THUDDlNG)
(WOMEN YELLlNG)
MAN CN RADIC: I don't think we've feIt this kind of expectation in years.
IfWincheII shows up Iike we know he can
even a short passing game to give MiIes a few feet of cushion...
You boys all right?
Yes, sir.
Gonna win State?
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Undefeated?
Yes, sir. Get it done.
"The Southern California lifestyle
"is but one of the bonus features
"of playing for..."
What's thatword?
"Distinguished."
Who's that one from, UCLA?
No, this is USC.
That's UCLA right there.
Hey, Mike.
You gonna come visit my distinguished ass in California?
See if l can put the damn smile on yourface.
You know l'm fitting to be rich, right?
l'm thinking about hiring Eddie Murphy
to lay some of his shit on you till you crack a damn smile.
No? Well, what about Richard Pryor?
Bill Cosby? l know you like Bill Cosby.
Mike Winchell
you got a natural ability forthrowing Boobie Miles the ball.
And every once in a while, you throw a pretty good pass
so you're going to eat your Jell-O Pudding Pops.
Yo, Mike Winchell
you gonna move out of Odessa, Texas one day, baby
and you gonna come visit Boobie Miles in California
and you gonna smile
or l'm gonna stick four pudding pops up yourwhite ass.
My God! l got Mike Winchell smiling.
Look at this.
Did y'all see it?
That's probably the only smile y'all gonna see from Mike all season.
Yeah.
l'm distinguished now.
MlKE: Hey, Boobie. BOOBlE: What?
You didn't lift.
Come on, man. This is God-given.
Only thing l gotta do isjust show up.
ANNOUNOER: Now, peopIe caII this monument out here, the Ratliff Stadium
the monument to footbaII of Cdessa.
They say some ofthat money shouId have gone to the schooI.
What's yourfeeIings on that, D.U.? You pIayed baII.
D.U.: Ain't that stadium part ofthe schooI?
So I say that money did go to the schooI.
What's everybody whining about?
This is footbaII country, foIks. Come on, get your heads out.
Hi, Don. Hey, Karen.
lt's you. Do you like it?
Think so. What is it?
Rice Krispies. You like it, right?
Yeah, l love it.
Thanks. You're welcome.
JOHN: Hey, Gary.
Hey, John. How you doing?
Good. You real busy?
l got a minute ortwo. Whatyou got up?
l got some characters out here.
Who you gotwith you?
Wilkins. Hey, Gary.
GAlNES: How you doing?
How's that prettywife ofyours? She's good.
Ready for Friday night?
Sure hope so. Seems pretty good.
l feel pretty good about it. Really.
Wejustwanted to come by and visit
maybe talk about defense a little bit, ifyou got a second.
WlLKlNS: You got a second?
MAN: We got a dog named Mojo.
We got a cat named Panther.
SAMMY: You got season tickets?
MAN: You kidding? We don't miss anything. We go to aII the scrimmages.
lnstead of the covertwo zone...
Get the D-line in as many gaps and stack gaps as possible.
Double dent, type oftechnique.
BOOBlE: Hey, what's up? GlRL: Hey, Boobie.
How you doing?
WOMAN: All right.
MAN: Strong "B" slide force. Hell, we can look at...
Yeah. He'll still be a robber...
Get lvory out ofthe board.
And go. Go.
Go by the speed and make up forthe size differential.
What do you think, Coach?
SCOUT: Now, obviously we're not Division l
butwe've got a good program.
You playwell enough, we'll find you a spot at Kansas Wesleyan.
How far is the drive?
What drive?
To your school. How far is it from Odessa to your school?
l don't know. 10 or 12 hours.
MRS. WlNCHELL: Are you offering?
SCOUT: Ma'am? Right now. Are you offering?
lfyou are, we're in. Mom.
He'll sign his intent right now.
SCOUT: Well, obviouslywe're interested, Miss Winchell.
Otherwise we wouldn't be here, Mike.
But right now, that's all we are, is...
lnterested.
Now, you go get at them, you throw some touchdowns
you win some football games, maybe a State Championship
we'll see ifwe can't find you a home at Kansas Wesleyan.
Yes, sir.
Do you like playing football, Mike?
Yes, sir.
ls it fun foryou?
Lots offun, sir.
He loves the game.
SCOUT: That's good. lt's important.
lt's legitimate love ofthe game.
Supposed to be fun, you know? Greatest game in the world.
GAINES: I'm not that good at toasting, but I'II give it a try.
Fact is, l don't know if l've ever done a toast myself before.
Been involved in a few, but...
Here's to Boobie Miles, who...
Well, everything you get this year, you deserve it
because you work hard, and l'm real proud ofyou.
And L.V., to you.
l can't even tell you how proud ofyou l am
the way you've raised this kid and whatyou do for him.
Here's to a great season, and God bless us.
God bless us.
God bless.
We been thinking about this forfour months now.
You seniors have been thinking about it for 17 years.
Well, it's here now. lt's time.
lf any ofyou have any doubt in your mind
l don'twant you to walk through that door overthere.
You shouldn't have any doubt in your mind
aboutwhatyou're supposed to do tonight
and about how you're supposed to do it.
So let's take care of it!
Way to go.
SPORTSCASTER: Boobie Miles.
Did you see that?
You can't turn it back to Boobie Miles!
SPORTSCASTER: All Boobie, all the time here.
A Mojo first down.
Boobie around one more!
Yeah! That's my boy!
Boobie Miles from 45 yards out
scores a Mojo touchdown.
Billingsley takes it right.
Boobie. Here we go again.
lnto the end zone. Touchdown, Mojo.
Boobie Miles has it all, all in one great package
the speed, the size, the athleticism.
Let me tell you, folks, Boobie Miles is worth the price of admission.
Yeah! Yeah, all right!
Miles breaking loose one more time.
Yes, sir!
Broke the line.
SPORTSCASTER: Chavez!
Chavez is playing like a man possessed.
God damn, l'm so proud ofyou!
Calm down, son.
Chavezwill eatyou...
GAlNES: Billingsley.
Go sit on the bench. Go get on the bench.
Crazy.
l like enthusiasm, but my goodness.
SPORTSCASTER: He's gonna throw it. What an arm!
Did you see...
Boobie Miles, from 35 yards out, scores a Mojo touchdown.
You're doing a greatjob. Give me a smile.
Thank you, Coach.
Boobie Miles is about as solid as you can ask for.
He ain't gonna smile.
Why not? Why didn't he ever smile?
He's more internal.
Let me kick that extra point.
Not this time. You did enough.
GAlNES: Come on.
Chris Comer, you're going in.
Comer, you're in the game. Come on.
Hey, son, come here. Where you going?
You don'twant me to go in, Coach?
You don'twant a helmet?
Where's your helmet? Go get it.
Yes, sir.
You see my helmet, man?
Find your helmet, son.
Whatyou looking for, Water Bug?
Hey, let me get this real quick. No way.
GAlNES: Come on.
My goodness gracious.
Boobie.
Water Bug, you can't come out here with no helmet.
You seen my helmet right here? l can still go in.
28 sweep.
You don't know where your helmet is! What are you thinking?
Where did you putyour helmet?
Right there.
Well, it ain't there!
Do you not know thatyou play the game with a helmet on?
Sityourtail down right now!
SPORTSCASTER: He throws back to Miles.
Miles cuts to his right.
Bailey takes him down.
(WHlSTLE BLOWS)
(BOOBlE GROANlNG)
Was that a knee?
Could have been.
DOCTOR: Hold on. Hang on.
SPORTSCASTER: Winchell was still in there.
Billingsley was still in there.
Unfortunately
the running back has been taken down hard
and it looks like a knee could possibly...
Just gonna touch the kneecap here.
(BOOBlE GROANlNG lN PAlN)
DOCTOR: Does it hurt over here on this side?
Get up, Boobie.
DOCTOR: Let me take a look at this.
DCCTCR: It's definiteIy his ACL.
I mean, it's a Iegitimate tear.
GAINES: Do you think he tore any cartiIage?
Maybe. l could feel the knee catching.
What do you think?
This kid, it's all about how he responds mentally.
l don't know.
All right, everybody. Listen up.
He's gonna be fine.
lt's not serious. There's no tear.
He'll be back in a week.
That's the good news.
Even better news, y'all played a great football game tonight.
A real good football game.
l'm real proud ofyou.
And Mike... Where's Mike Winchell?
Mike, l'm proud ofyou, son.
You showed discipline. You showed leadership.
You played your butt off, son.
l'm proud ofyou.
All ofyou. Proud of all ofyou.
And, Wilson, now that's body tackle.
That's what l been telling you about.
Did y'all see him tonight?
Anyway, l'm proud of every one ofyou.
l'm proud ofthe coaches, all ofy'all each and every player.
l wantyou to go celebrate.
Feel good aboutyourselves tonight, okay? Come on!
MAN 1 CN RADIC: We onIy got a minute and a haIf Ieft in the game.
We're Ieading by a good Iead.
He Ieaves the boy in there Iike that. That makes no sense.
You gotta protect your best asset.
What's the matter with this man?
He couId've ruined the whoIe season for us right there.
SPCRTSCASTER: We were up. We were winning big,
and the boy stays in the game.
MAN 1: Yeah. You don't need any more.
You don't need to accompIish any more.
MAN 2: I think Coach Gaines is a stupid idiot.
WeII, he shouIdn't have put him in.
I mean, we had a big Iead and everything.
I don't understand what that was aII about.
We can't do anything without Boobie.
We had the game won.
DOCTOR: l'm feeling some damage on the right side here.
Well, can l play on Friday?
l think you got a slight tear.
L.V.: Can he play?
BOOBlE: Yeah, can l play?
Can he play football?
Can l?
You need to get up to Midland, get an MRl.
Can a MRl fix your knee?
REPCRTER: Is he the one pIayer you can't do without?
Well, l never looked at it thatway.
A football team is not about one player ortwo players.
A football team is about the team.
This is a unit, and that's the way we have to play.
lt's gonna be a challenge.
You are making some bad decisions!
You're playing like the village idiot.
You want people to think you're the village idiot?
SPORTSCASTER 1: As the Eagles take down the Panthers, 49-6
and for Coach Gary Gaines
play's gotta be back to the drawing board.
SPORTSCASTER 2: That's gonna be the word around town all week.
Coach Gaines, what are you gonna do?
The loss of Boobie Miles can not result in the loss ofthis season.
Hell of a game.
Give me the keys.
Way to take care of business.
Give me the keys, Dad.
We...
Wejust need a few more days, Coach, and we be back.
You go into Midland, get that MRl?
BOOBlE: l don't need nothing in Midland.
Those rich hillbillies ain't never seen nothing
as pretty as Boobie Miles' knee.
Them MRl machines wouldn't knowwhat to do with it.
He gonna bejust fine, Coach Gaines.
We gonna go back to the clinic
but they already said there ain't no tears.
No tears? Ain't no tear.
ls thatwhat they said?
Yes, sir. We gonna go back for some double confirmation
butwhen it come time to play Midland Lee, we be good to go.
That's good then.
(GUN FlRlNG)
MlKE: He designed his offense around one player.
We're dead.
CHAVEZ: We're not dead.
Wejust need to start throwing the football.
We're dead.
Dead. Pull it.
We gotta lighten up.
We're 17.
Do you feel 17?
l don't feel 17.
Pull it.
CHAVEZ: We will win State.
Chavo, you're like a human piñata.
You getyour ass all beat on more than anybody l know
and you just sit there and spit out candy.
MlKE: That's 'cause he's out of here. He's got the grades.
No matterwhat, ifwe win or lose, he knows he's getting out.
He's like the one-foot- out- the-door man.
DON: You're gonna be drinking martinis...
Give me the gun.
MlKE: Eating lamb chops. DON: Getting manicures.
CHAVEZ: You'rejustjealous.
DON: Removing yourfreaking shoes?
REPORTER: What's it like being the quarterback?
l mean, this is a big responsibility for a 17-year-old kid.
No! That is not acceptable!
lt's sort of, l mean...
lt's not too bad, l know.
You are playing like a fool.
REPORTER: Do you think you can handle it?
lfyou got a receiver getting jammed inside
whatwill you do with your brain?
Yeah, hope so.
GAlNES: Whatwill your brain do?
You'll throw outside! Throw it outside.
You'll throw outside!
Now you think you can do that? Yes, sir.
Well, show me.
Hey.
l thought maybe ifyou came home,
itwould help out a little bit.
She's sick. She's not doing so good.
lt'sjust kind of hard. Football's starting and this is a lot.
l thought if maybe you could come home, it'd help out a little
because she's your mother, too.
Okay.
Can you get thejob done, Mike?
We're pretty small.
l didn't ask you if you think we're small.
l asked you ifyou think we can get thejob done.
l think so.
You're gonna have to do betterthan "l think so." ls that clear?
lt's clear.
Now l'm gonna assume that by now
you've learned that the world's not fair
and sometimes you get the short end. That's all you get.
And ifyou don't do something personally to fix it
then that's all you're ever gonna get.
Yes, sir.
Mike.
Do you want to play college ball?
Do you want to get out ofthis town?
l think so.
Why aren'tyou doing something about it?
My ma's not right.
One ofthese days, you're gonna have to get out ofthis house.
You're gonna have to leave her.
Yes, sir.
You got to accept the fact that people have to take care ofthemselves
and that includes you. You understand that?
Yes, sir.
Okay.
The truth is
against some pretty overwhelming odds
ifyou do decide to accept that...
Look at me, Mike.
lfyou decide to accept that
you're gonna seriously fly, son.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Same song, different verse.
Middle of the second quarter, Cooper has a 14-0 lead.
Things are really going south in a hurry.
Butwhen you got an offense play
built around one player, that's great
as long as the player's there.
When he gets hurt, in this case like Boobie did,
what do you do?
SPORTSCASTER 2: l don't know, but Gaines better come up with a plan quick
'cause the unthinkable will happen.
The Panthers are gonna lose two consecutive district games.
Wilson gets the handoff
and he's got room to run on the left-hand side.
Across the line. Clotheslined by Gary Grubb.
And he's down.
Give me a running back! We got a running back?
SPORTSCASTER 1: Permian has lost Boobie Miles, now Wilson...
Comer! Yeah, come on!
...leaving him with third-string running back Chris Comer.
Comer around the right side
has some room to run, and runs out of bounds.
What is that?
l didn't have a block.
You are so soft! Are you scared?
l didn't have no block. Football is a contact sport!
l think he's a sophomore.
SPORTSCASTER 2: ...looking for a badminton scholarship but that's not gonna cut it.
Blue 40!
SPORTSCASTER 1: The snap. Looking to throw. Here comes the rush.
Winchell avoids the rush, throws the ball.
Comerturns from blockerto receiver
has the ball, crosses the 20-yard line
crosses the 30.
Comerto the 40! Comerto the 50!
Where did this speed come from?
Go!
Who was that? ltwas Comer.
Our Comer?
ltwas Comer.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Comer has a Mojo touchdown!
Chris Comerwith his first varsity TD.
Not letting go ofthat ball.
Give me the ball.
85 yards, the second-longest power play in Permian history.
lnterception, Brian Chavez!
Abilene Cooper back to punt. lt's blocked!
Touchdown, Permian! That's a Mojo touchdown.
Jesus!
Billingsley up the middle, picks up a great block from Comer.
Forearm shiver, in forthe Mojo touchdown.
SPORTSCASTER 2: There's your old school football.
Where did this guy come from?
SPORTSCASTER 1: Chris Comer has poured on some fantastic runs
and one fantastic pass reception
leading Mojo from a 14-nothing...
Hello?
l'm feeling great. How are you?
l feel much better than l did before the hit.
SPORTSCASTER 3: This team has a swagger.
They're walking tall and playing tough.
SPORTSCASTER 4: l love these kids.
l love the way Winchell is playing.
They came together after Boobie went out...
He's got him. Touchdown in the corner!
You know, wejust have to dig deep...
MAN 1: Comer's amazing. He's stepping in just nicely.
MAN 2: My concern is that he doesn't have the experience in the long run.
MAN 3: lfthey can just stay strong, not get overconfident
and take out Midland Lee, l think we're going, man.
WOMAN 1: l think we're gonna go all the way, but l'm a little worried.
Oh, no, sir. lt'sjust a small sprain.
ltwasjust a precaution.
MAN 4: We're on a roll.
MAN 5: Don't get started on the celebration dance justyet.
We got Midland coming up.
SPORTSCASTER 5: Midland Lee is the real deal.
WOMAN 2: You don't need to be swaggering now.
You got to be playing and practicing.
SPORTSCASTER 6: Permian zips past North Shore Galena, 17-3.
Come on, we're five and one. The team is winning now.
MAN 1: They're winning, butwho we playing?
l mean, come on, mediocre teams.
SPORTSCASTER 6: Two losses could shut the door on the Permian Panthers.
MAN 1: Let's not start tooting our hornsjust yet, you knowwhat l mean?
MAN 2: You lose two division games in this football climate
and you're done, Sammy.
BOOBlE: Midland.
L.V.: Boobie.
This the best damn hospital in Texas.
The very best.
(MECHANlCAL WHlRRlNG)
DOCTOR: My son, Andrew, played for Midland,
and ended up back East at Penn.
He's playing with Joe Paterno?
University of Pennsylvania. Premed.
Just let it relax. You have any pain?
BOOBlE: Not at all.
Does this hurt? No.
None ofthat hurts? Nope.
Okay. Go ahead and sit up, and just letyour legs hang over.
Go ahead and get dressed and let me look at the scan.
l'm sorry. You're James' dad?
No, l'm his uncle.
DOCTOR: Come over, and let me look at the scan with you.
This is the scan wejust did today of his knee.
This is looking right through the middle ofthe knee.
Whatwe're looking at right through here is the ACL
and what this shows is that he's had a fairly significant,
fairly serious injury.
Let me show you. Right through here is where the injury is
and it looks like you've had a pretty serious injury
to that part ofyour knee
significant enough that l have concerns
aboutwhatyou can do from here on.
So when can l suit up?
Let mejust say, with how your knee feltwhen l examined it
and what l see on the scan
with the things thatyou do well the reason thatyou're great
is you can run and cut and hammer people
and you don't hesitate because you've got a solid knee.
When you don't have this ligament
you can't do that, so it's out of the question.
No. That's notwhat Dr. Spencer said.
He said three weeks. Three weeks is up, and l'm ready to play.
l understand. But again, when l...
Based on what l see when l feel and examine your knee,
what l see here you really can't playwith this kind of...
What are you talking about, "l can't play"? l'm gonna play.
l'm ready to play. My team needs me. l'm ready to play.
Listen to me. l am listening to you.
l wantwhat's best foryou.
You and l are on the same page...
We ain't on the same page.
How you gonna want what's best for me? Hold on.
How you gonna want what's best for me? You from Midland, right?
This is bull, man.
You justjealous 'cause you from Midland.
What l recommend...
Who paying you?
Come on, Boobie. That's okay.
You trying to take my football career!
L.V.: Boobie, let's get out of here.
Whatever you're saying to me, listen to me.
Who's paying you?
SAMMY: Here back on Mojo Radio, it's Slamming Sammy Stands.
l knew tonight's game was gonna be
a big game, but itjust got bigger.
Earliertoday, Cooper beat Woodland.
lf Permian wins tonight, they're in the play-offs.
lfthey lose, though, they fall back into a three-way tie forfirst place
and that means the tie-breaker is a coin toss.
GAlNES: So what did the doctor say?
lfyou go out there before your knee's ready...
Coach, my knee's fine.
You okaywith this, L.V.?
Yeah, l'm good with it. 100%.
Go get dressed.
SPORTSCASTER 1: The most storied rivalry in the state ofTexas
is Permian hosting the Midland Lee Rebels at Ratliff Stadium.
Tonight one ofthese teams
could take a step toward the play-offs.
Permian has one district loss,
both Cooper and Midland have two.
SPORTSCASTER 2: There's no doubt about that.
Awin tonight puts Permian in the play-offs
no coin flip needed
plus itwill send the Lee Rebels home forthe season.
Well, what do you know, folks. Look at this.
Coming out of the locker room
number 45 has emerged from the locker room.
Boobie doesn't look like he's limping at all.
He looks good to me. He looks like he's ready to go.
Now the question is, decoy or player?
He ain't gonna play.
l don't think so either.
SPORTSCASTER 1: From what l know about Coach Gary Gaines
nobody holds his cards closerthan Gary.
Come on, guys. Let's go.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Winchell pitches to Comer.
Flipped on his head!
Winchell, pressured by Olivera
swings a pass out to Billingsley.
Picked off by Dominguez.
Dominguezwill take it in from 25 yards away.
And Lee breaks on top.
Hang on to the ball, son!
Don'tworry about it. Shake it off.
Don'tworry about it, Coach. Let me spin.
Y'all want to win, put Boobie in.
Set. Hut!
SPORTSCASTER 1: Winchell will swing it out to Billingsley.
Come on, Donny.
And the ball is stripped by Dominguez.
Kevin Lane, and a blatant facemask by Billingsley.
Dang!
What's up?
My goodness. Son, is there something wrong with you? Are you mentally okay?
What are you putting your helmet on for? Take your helmet off, son.
You're on the bench for a while. You don't need that helmet.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Third down with less than two minutes to play in the half.
Strandler overthe left side, uncontested. 32 yards down to TD.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Permian came in with a four-game win streak
but they haven't been tested all year.
Coach Gaines has to find a way to get his offense on track
or start feeling his season slipping through his fingers.
Do you think you're playing football?
You are showing me nothing!
Do you understand me?
Do you think you got it made?
Because if that's whatyou think
you're gonna find out what it feels like to sit on your asses
and watch Midland Lee take your season!
SPORTSCASTER 1: No offense tonight for Mojo, and still no sign of Boobie Miles.
Y'all want to win? Put Boobie in. l'm about to spin.
Come on, Coach. Let me get this foryou.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Under five minutes to play, and Lee still leads 14-7.
Weak defense, weak offense and no Boobie.
lfyou're Coach Gaines, what do you do?
SPORTSCASTER 2: Right now, Mike Winchell can't get this offense going
and the Midland coach has seen Boobie on the sidelines.
lfyou don't put him in, he knows you're bluffing.
l'd put him in.
All right, move out!
Come on!
Boobie, you're in. Let's go.
Whatyou want?
SPORTSCASTER 1: Well, we apparently are all gonna getwhatwe wished for
because here comes Boobie Miles
and this is certainly what the fans came to see.
That's number 45 back in the Permian backfield.
Back slam, 37 stretch, on one.
Break!
Now it's gonna be the senior, Number 45
lining up behind quarterback Mike Winchell
that offensive line is raring to go with room to run.
Three, 12. Hut!
Miles going left. Hesitatesjust a bit.
Get off me!
Let's go with 60.
Let's go.
SPORTSCASTER 1: They're gonna cheat up to the line again
see ifthey're gonna run Boobie once more.
He will go to the right.
There is a hole. He gets a block.
The Dominguez brothers take him down. He spins and he's down.
(GROANlNG)
Don't touch it.
DOCTOR: Try to relax.
Let me take a look at it.
l'm gonna get up on my own. l can get up on my own.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Folks, the utter joy ofwatching
Miles trot back on to the field
has been replaced by the sheer misery
ofwatching him being carried off of it.
We, unfortunately, may have seen the last of Boobie Miles
in the black and white of Permian.
Let me see. He's done.
We're gonna go jet fire, Coach.
Well, you better go something!
SPORTSCASTER 1: One minute, 35 seconds left to play in this one.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Panthers move immediately to the hurry-up offense.
Boobie no longer a factor.
Comer, following the tackle, will dig up near midfield.
The clock now inside of 1:20.
lt'll be second down, Permian.
Lee clings to that seven-point lead, and time becomes a factor.
60, Cheetah.
60, Cheetah! Hut!
Again, Winchell to Payne, beating Preston.
Only 40 seconds left.
Mike Winchell trying to keep Permian's play-off hopes alive
completes the pass!
He's got it!
SPORTSCASTER 2: Winchell was drilled, but he seems to be okay.
Back it off!
SPORTSCASTER 1: Winchell has time, he's looking. Again, Winchell to Payne.
The clock continues to run.
25 seconds left. Go!
Go to the left.
Let's go! Throw it up!
Hold it! Hut!
Mike Winchell trying to keep the play-off hopes alive. Complete!
This is forthe ball game. The clock is still moving.
Come on, front line!
Mike Winchell will throw from the shotgun
steps back and he drops the ball!
Picks it up, steps into the pocket,
looking for Allen Wyles. He's open.
Here's the pass, and it's too tall!
Midland Lee wins the ball game.
(MARCHlNG BAND PLAYlNG)
(MlKE CRYlNG)
lt's all right. No, man.
l'm sorry.
MAN: Thanks for nothing, Coach. Go home, cowards.
MAN 1: I don't understand what's gonna happen at this point. How do we...
HOST: Another loss, and that's thrown us into a three-way tie.
They're going to have a coin toss.
MAN 1: You're serious?
We're gonna get the three coaches together.
They're gonna aII toss a coin.
That's 5-A's footbaII tie-breaker right now. What can I say?
What the heII kind ofway is that to make a decision?
When you assembIe the kind oftaIent that we have here
and then you just throw it away Iike that.
It started with him pIaying Boobie when we had a big Iead.
This is a once in a Iifetime thing
to be abIe to see these peopIe.
I mean, we couId have been in the history books.
And now? Ain't no way. I mean, that's it.
What about WincheII's pIay tonight?
WeII, what do you think?
And BiIIingsIey couIdn't hoId on...
They aII suck!
I think it's 'cause ofthe coaching.
You know what eIse it is, too?
They been doing too much Iearning in the schooIs.
My daddy used to take a bullwhip, and he'd cut it up
and he'd tie 13 knots in it.
Then he'd beat me in my gut
till l got a sick feeling in my stomach.
Well.
That's how l feel
when l watch you play football.
Sick at my stomach.
l need some fresh air.
What the hell are you doing?
Get this sickness out of my stomach.
Yeah.
God damn it, Dad.
You were sent down here to learn how to play football
and you haven't.
You have not.
And l got to take that as a personal failure.
HCST: Nobody in Mojo footbaII wants to win in a coin toss.
But that's the way it is.
That's the way the tiebreaker is.
MAN 1: WeII, they ought to change that.
They ought to change coaches.
Make a Iot of changes next year.
l was supposed to make a man ofyou.
Shit.
Do you knowwhat that is?
That's a State Championship.
l won a State Championship.
Just calm down, Dad.
Can you touch that?
Hell with it.
What the hell are you doing?
You drunk bastard.
You everfeel cursed, Coach?
Like, no matterwhat, inside your heart
you feel that you're gonna lose.
Like something's hanging overyou
following you like a witch, or a demon thatjust...
Why you got to be so messed up?
MlKE: You can'twin.
l feel like that all the time.
Even when things are going good.
When we're winning, it's there.
And when we're losing, it's there.
What is wrong with you?
lt took me a long time to realize
that there ain't much difference between winning and losing
except for how the outside world treats you.
But inside you, it's about all the same. lt really is.
Fact ofthe matter is, l believe
that our only curses are the ones that are self-imposed.
You knowwhat l'm saying?
We, all of us, dig our own holes.
God, Dad.
(CHARLlE HUMMlNG)
What is wrong with you?
What's wrong with you?
Ladies and gentIemen, this is truIy unbeIievabIe.
A three-way tie forfirst place.
So, in less than an hour, this truck stop
which we're not allowed to reveal the identity of
will serve as host for a coin toss
thatwill send two ofthese teams to the state play-offs
and one ofthem home empty-handed.
Okay, Skip. We're on in three, two, one.
Folks, we're here with the three winning coaches.
We've aII agreed on the ruIes.
Two out ofthree here, odd man out.
If you got one taiIs, they're out.
If you got one heads, they're out.
lt's a tough way after a great season forthe coaches
but this is the way it's gonna be.
So when l give the word, we're gonna toss our coins
and then the district's gonna have its two representatives.
Now let's see the coins, guys.
Coach Doug McCutcheon from Abilene Cooper's got... What is it?
1922 silver dollar.
'22 silver dollar. All right.
And Coach Gary Gaines from Permian, you got a '69 nickeI.
And from Midland Lee
Coach Earl Miller's got a basic U.S. quarter.
Okay. Coaches ready?
One.
Ain't no curses.
Two.
Three. Toss them.
Coins are down.
This one looks like it's heads.
SKlP: Okay, that's heads for Abilene Cooper.
That's mine.
lt's heads.
SKlP: Okay, Midland Lee is also heads.
MAN: Hey, we got a third one over here, Skip.
Coach, that's you.
Come on, Gaines.
Don't touch that. Just leave it alone.
That's heads.
SKlP: Yup, that's heads, too.
Permian is aIso heads. Man!
SKlP: Well, that figures.
The way your teams played each other it'd take more than one toss.
Hang on a second.
You know, this coin's prettyworn.
Does this look like heads to you?
l can't tell the difference. lt might be tails.
There might be some controversy here regarding Cooper's coin.
lt's tails.
(CHEERlNG)
So the good news is that life continues
for both Midland Lee and Permian high schools.
At least for another couple ofweeks.
That's the good news.
The not-so-good news is
that it Iooks Iike aII roads are
eventuaIIy Ieading to DaIIas Carter.
And what a monster of a team DaIIas Carter is.
This DaIIas Carterteam appears to be compIeteIy unstoppabIe.
The rumor is they've got nine pIayers
that have aIready signed Division I Ietters of intent.
Damn, them boys big.
They are a very good footbaII team, peopIe.
(CHARLlE COUGHS)
l'll get that carfixed today.
Yeah.
l don'twant this to sound like an apology or anything
but l didn't mean halfthe things l said...
l know.
You just... You ain't getting it.
You don't understand.
This is the only thing you're ever gonna have.
Forever. lt carries you forever.
lt's an ugly fact of life. Donny, hell.
lt's the only fact of life.
You got one year
one stinking yearto make yourself some memories, son.
That's all. lt's gone afterthat.
And l'll be damned ifyou're not gonna miss it.
No guts.
What's up, Water Bug?
What's up, Boobie?
Water Bug. Play-offs belong to you, baby.
l'll make you proud.
Whaty'all looking at?
Play your ass off.
Win State. Be perfect. All that shit.
This is a gift foryou.
lt's gonna be worth a lot of money.
l bet itwill.
You be perfect, Preacher Man.
What's up?
Nowwhatwe gonna do? l can't do nothing else but play football.
L.V.: Don'tworry about that.
l can't be doing nothing else.
You'll be all right, son.
l can't do nothing else but play football.
Why? We practiced and we practiced.
You told me we were gonna go to the pros.
What the hell am l gonna do without my knee?
You'll find somebody else. Don'tworry about it, son.
No. l wanted to buy you a house.
(BOOBlE CRYlNG LOUDLY)
BOOBlE: Theywon't let me play, though.
SPCRTSCASTER 1: It's pIay-off time in Texas.
And who cares if Permian snuck in on a coin toss?
SPCRTSCASTER 2: There's been a Iot of expectations
forthis Permian footbaII team.
And you got to Iove this pIay-off atmosphere.
They caII this the thinning ofthe herd the survivaI ofthe fittest.
Win, you go on. Lose, you pIay basketbaII.
SPORTSCASTER 3: Quarterback Mike Winchell.
Drops back, pulls right, throws long.
Caught! Touchdown!
SPORTSCASTER 4: The Panthers defeated Dallas Jesuit to advance
to the next round 16.
Down south, the killing machine that is Dallas Carter
rolls over Lufkin to 16-0.
SPORTSCASTER 5: They're going to the 20, to the 10, to the 5!
lt's Comer, folks, into the end zone for a Mojo touchdown!
SPORTSCASTER 6: Chris Comer, with another sensational performance.
SPORTSCASTER 7: Permian cruises past San Angelo and into the quarter.
SPORTSCASTER 8: Permian looked great tonight
but Dallas Carter is playing on a whole different level.
SPORTSCASTER 9: lnterception, Brian Chavez.
SPORTSCASTER 10: Great read ofthe play. Touchdown!
45 yards out.
SPORTSCASTER 11: Permian defeats Nimitz, 48-7.
Moving into the semi-finals ofthe Texas 5-A play-offs.
Carter, monster play, advancing them to the state finals.
SPORTSCASTER 9: Mike Winchell drops back, throws a 50-yard bomb!
lt's gonna be caught by Parker!
Hits the pylon in the corner ofthe end zone. Touchdown.
SPORTSCASTER 12: That's it. Permian's gonna battle Dallas Carter
forthe Texas Class 5-A State Championship.
JAMES: Whatwould it take foryou to come up to Texas Stadium?
GAlNES: How about if y'all come out here?
Where? Over at Ratliff Stadium?
Yeah.
l still think there'd be a problem with ourfans sitting with yourfans.
McCLARY: l don't see any problems.
We can bring in extra police to handle the crowd-control issues.
Mr. McClary, perhaps you're not aware butwe have an all-black community.
Frankly, between our communities, there are some issues.
Wait a minute. What issues are we talking about?
l'm not gonna get into it at this table. lt'sjust different.
How about ifwe went with a neutral site?
Say, College Station, or San Anton, somewhere like that.
Oryou know whatwe could do
is the Astrodome.
Astrodome.
l got no problem with that.
Good.
Let's discuss officials.
l think the simplest thing to do is get a zebra crew out of
some neutral place like San Antonio, or something.
JAMES: Now are these zebras gonna be white or black?
Well, as far as l know, zebras are white and black.
What are we talking about here?
How many black stripes these zebras got?
A zebra's got about the same amount of black as he does white ones.
WlLKlNS: How many black stripes you think a zebra's got?
lt makes sense to hire a crew as is. That's howwe always do it.
Don't make sense to me. lt makes sense to me.
Not me.
Not a whole lot does make sense to you.
Yeah, there's a lot that makes sense to me.
So you think having an all-black officiating crew
is gonna help you win the game?
Watch your mouth.
Hey, Coach. How you doing?
Ben, how you doing? All right, Coach. You?
Pretty good. Hi, Sharon.
How you doing?
We'rejust out getting flowers forthe ladies.
Secretaries week.
ls that right? l'll be dogged.
l don't have a secretary, so l don't have to worry about it.
You win State, Coach, we'll getyou two secretaries.
Everything all right?
Yeah, everybody's gonna bejust fine. Everything's all right
as long as we get out there and getwhatwe need to get done
and, you know, win State.
Boy, l sure hope so. Yeah, me, too.
Yeah, l want it bad as y'all do.
Yes, sir.
You know, Dallas Carter, that's a tough team.
Real tough team. Yeah?
We're a pretty tough team, too.
Yeah, that's true.
So, beat them.
Orwhat?
"Orwhat"?
Or...
You know, thatwould be a real bad deal foryou, Gary.
All right? Let'sjust get out there and get it done.
Get that State Championship.
Well, l sure appreciate your support.
We believe in you. l'm glad you do.
We're behind you, Coach. See you, Sharon.
Well, thatwas subtle. Yeah.
Are we gonna move again?
lt's possible. No, baby.
What do you think aboutAlaska?
What aboutAlaska?
Well...
l bet that they are not nearly as serious
about their football in Alaska.
l think that's a real nice idea.
We should go to Alaska, stay there for a couple ofyears. 20.
lt'sjust something to think about, baby.
l think it'd be really nice.
Build us a nice little igloo.
Baby, these boys are big.
Yeah, they are. Sure are.
Did you sleep last night?
Yes, sir, l did.
We got a six hour ride, so we can getyou some more.
All right, Coach.
Coach.
You got room for one more?
Absolutely. Hop on.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Mojo has come to Houston.
This is the Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world
and today, it's going to be Odessa Permian versus Dallas Carter.
This is a moment these kids have been looking fortheirwhole life.
They started playing as 8-year-olds
in the Pop Warner fields of Odessa, or in Dallas.
They've dreamed of the State Championship
laying in bed late at night
dreaming oftheir chance to bring home the title
fortheirtown, fortheirteam, fortheir school.
Folks, lock the doors, turn up the radios,
strap yourself in.
We've got East Texas versus West Texas.
We've got Texas high school football at its finest.
SPORTSCASTER 2: No doubt. This crowd isjacked.
This is going to be an all-outwar.
(BARKlNG)
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome, Dallas Carterfans...
ANNOUNOER: Permian, the home team, in white.
Carter, the visiting team, in red.
...to the 1988...
REFEREE: Let's shake hands. Have a good ball game.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Texas 5-A...
l'm gonna ring your bell all day long, Mexican.
...football championship.
You, too, Goldilocks.
Let's go!
Let's play football!
All right, Dallas kicking offto Permian.
SPORTSCASTER 1: We're underway in the State Championship.
Jones' kickoff carries eightyards.
Comer should down it there.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Wait. He's going to bring it out.
Howser makes the tackle on the 3-yard line
and Chavez is very slow to get up as he wasjust blasted to the turf.
Be patient in there. Keep your cool.
Yes, sir.
Be a leader, okay? Yes, sir.
The run's 277, dolphin. Let's go!
SPCRTSCASTER 1: Saturday is finaIIy here. The Texas BowI is underway.
Winchell, first and 10 for Permian, inside their 5-yard line.
Winchell, under centerwill back up.
Here comes Stuber!
Dad gum it!
And just like that, Stuber's safety has given Carter a 2-0 lead.
Which game are we in?
And Whitaker will find Grande
with a weak pass as Chavez is leveled.
And Grande will take this one to the house
from more than 50 yards away in play.
There's not a Panther within 10 yards of him.
That's a Carter Cowboy touchdown.
Carter will go fortwo. Theywill not kick.
No surprise. This team has not kicked
an extra point or a field goal all year.
Whitaker now will make a bootleg.
Going leftwill get the two-point conversion.
Cowboys, 10. Permian, 0.
What's it like out there, lvory?
They're big.
They're fast.
Fun ride, huh, big boy?
They're dirty.
REFEREE: Ball's gone!
He's holding me, Ref!
Plus, they fast.
Yeah, you said that already.
Hut!
You can not fumble against a team this good.
Two runs to deep turn!
Keep your head in the game!
Help me out! 45-2 split!
SPORTSCASTER 1: lt's going to be Whitakerto Cane from 26 yards away.
He levels Chavez.
SPORTSCASTER 2: And another Carter Cowboy touchdown.
(MARCHlNG BAND PLAYlNG LlVELY MUSlC)
All day long, baby.
That's it.
You have to wake up, understand? Yes, sir.
You gonna let the offense do everything, or help us out?
l'll help us. You'll help us out? Okay.
Keep them out ofthe end zone.
lfthey score more than we do, we lose the game.
All right? So wake up!
SPORTSCASTER 1: lt's been all Carter here in the first quarter.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Carter over 161 yards already, and Panthers minus 21.
Winchell is driven hard to the turf.
Comer, stopped at the line again.
Great grandma's drawers!
l can't believe that.
Winchell's nailed again.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Right now, l don't know ifwe need to worry about the scores.
Justwhether or notwe'll be able to take all these boys home.
Permian's offensive line is being...
What in the world are you doing? Did you see that?
REFEREE: Back up, Coach.
He almost killed him!
SPORTSCASTER 1: Clay, this game is quickly spiraling out of control.
At some point, you gotta worry about the safety ofthe kids.
The Panthers came into this ball game really fired up.
Right now, they've got the wind just knocked out ofthem.
Getyour head in the game. Are you in the game?
Yes, sir. You have to wake up out there!
Yes, sir!
SPORTSCASTER 1: Five minutes left to play in a halfthat's been all Carter.
They lead 18-0. Third and 1 on the Permian 40.
Come on, Preacher!
Whitakerwith a pro set in shotgun. Looking once again to throw.
Come on, D! Let's go!
McCleery's coming on the zone blitz.
Robert Whitaker will look to throw.
Looking right. Ball is in the air.
SPORTSCASTER 2: And it's picked off by lvory Christian.
And l'm pretty sure the Preacher Man
is headed for the promised land.
He may take this one all the way.
Finally a spark of life in the form of lvory Christian!
Whitaker has taken him down inside the Mojo 5!
We've got plenty of time to get this game.
Y'all need to wake up out there and play football. You understand?
You need to find each other.
'Cause you need each other right now, so find each other.
Let's go. Let's get on the board.
Arrow 637. Count it on one. Ready.
Jump on the ball!
SPORTSCASTER 1: Snap to Winchell, drops back, rolls right.
He's gonna run it inside the 5!
SPORTSCASTER 2: Winchell hurls his way towards the end zone.
Anthony has him
but Mike Winchell will stretch himself into the end zone
forthe Mojo touchdown!
WincheII drives to the goaI Iine.
Yes!
Holds the ball out overthe plane.
He didn't break the plane.
Coach, we've got him.
Ref, did you see that?
What? He got in.
There's no way he got in.
How you going to...
Winchell's without a helmet! Kicked in his face!
There's not a flag anywhere on the field!
How can you miss that, Ref?
Time has run out in the first half.
Coach Gary Gaines and his Mojo Cats trail Carter by 26-7.
What happened on that play?
That's right. You understand that?
40 yards? Hell no!
You guys are not doing any pass blocking.
You'rejust stepping aside and letting them walk in...
Pop! That's what l want! All ofyou around that ball!
To go fortwo and get it every time? That's ridiculous.
They haven't kicked a field goal.
Relax.
We not trying to coach y'all now.
Coach done gave you all these adjustments, okay?
lfyou do everything the coach told you to do...
Two-point conversions, l want those gone. Here's whatwe'll do.
We'll use our speed. We'll run Texas power.
What's wrong with y'all?
Y'all are playing like little girls!
You act like you never played football before!
These guys are nothing!
You hear me? They bleed like we do.
Yes, sir! They sweat like we do.
Do you hear me? Theywent through two-a-days.
We've had two-a-days in 110 degree heat!
Yes, sir!
Hit everything that moves!
lfthe ref gets in yourway, you hit him!
Okay, then. Let's play.
They're cheating us, too!
They're against us, too.
This is ourteam. This is us!
Let's go right now!
Let's get it off now and let's go!
Permian is going to have to step up here
and establish some offensive confidence.
(CHEERlNG)
(BAND PLAYlNG LlVELY MUSlC)
Let's go.
lt's real simple.
You got two more quarters and that's it.
Now most ofyou have been playing this game for 10 years.
You've two more quarters
and afterthat most ofyou will never play
this game again as long as you live.
You all have known me for a while and for a long time you've been
hearing me talk about being perfect.
l wantyou to understand something.
To me, being perfect
is not about that scoreboard out there.
lt's not aboutwinning.
lt's aboutyou and your relationship
to yourself and your family and yourfriends.
Being perfect
is about being able to look your friends in the eye
and know thatyou didn't let them down.
Because you told them the truth.
And that truth is, thatyou did everything thatyou could.
There wasn't one more thing thatyou could've done.
Can you live in that moment
as bestyou can, with clear eyes
and love in your heart?
With joy in your heart.
lfyou can do that, gentlemen
then you're perfect.
l wantyou to take a moment
and l wantyou to look each other in the eyes.
l wantyou to put each other in your hearts forever.
Because forever's about to happen in just a few minutes.
l wantyou to close your eyes
and l want you to think about Boobie Miles
who is your brother.
And he would die to be out there on that field with you tonight.
And l wantyou to put that in your hearts.
Boys, my heart is full.
My heart's full.
lvory.
lVORY: "Our Father...
ALL: "Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
"Thy kingdom come, thywill be done.
"On earth as it is in heaven.
"Give us this day our daily bread,
"and forgive us ourtrespasses.
"As we forgive those who trespass against us.
"Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
"Forthine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever."
Amen!
That's it, baby!
Keep left!
Hut!
Way to go, lvory!
Lead and roll.
Spread right eagle.
Are you hungry?
Thank you.
They're killing us with their size.
They're playing some hard-hitting football.
Get offthe ball!
Drive hard!
Shit!
You will not be here again. Do you realize that?
You don't understand. Boy, we gotta play.
Golly bum!
"Z" up 543. Get to the first down marker.
l'll hityou as soon as you get there.
On one, ready. Break!
React to the snap!
Show me something!
Did you see that?
That's the way to play ball.
You know that was a bad call!
Now if he backs up on the next series, it'll be over.
He can't drop back fast enough.
Yeah, it's good.
SPORTSCASTER 1: After the blowout ofthe first half
we've seen a showcase of defense here in the third quarter.
The score closing with Carter on top, 26-14.
10:25 remains in the fourth quarter.
lt's third and 10 for Carter
as Whitaker spins and hits Drake for 6.
Tackled by Thomas. lt's going to be fourth down.
You know Carter's going for it on fourth.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Unbelievable. James is not even going to consider a punt.
So now Whitaker on fourth down as Carterwill go for it.
He's gonna look for Graf. Graf's the main receiver
and this one bounces offthe turf.
lncomplete.
No way. Got that right here!
Did you see it? l'm gonna talk to him.
l wanna talk to whoever did see it!
REFEREE: This is big, man. Anybody get a better look? Gary?
Did you turn?
l turned and looked, but l was lost.
That ain't no catch.
l couldn't see it.
Are you sure he caught it?
ltwas a catch, Ref.
Lee, Mack, set them up. We got first down.
What are you talking about?
Thatwas a bad call!
This man has it. This man had the catch.
SPCRTSCASTER 1: There's no way. The baII came offthe turf.
That is bullshit!
Here's the pass. Whitaker has found Graf.
Graf makes a one-handed phenomenal catch
for another CarterTD.
Chavez in frustration levels him in the end zone.
Personal foul on the defense.
That's gonna cost Permian 15 on the kickoff.
Following the Carter two-point conversion they now lead 34-14.
SPORTSCASTER 2: These Panthers are getting beat physically.
They're getting beat mentally. They're really down.
We've seen this before but Permian's always been on the other end.
We're looking forthe next play.
Comer got across the 5.
Comer, to the 30, to the 35.
Comer could go all the way, folks.
Comer, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5!
That's a Mojo touchdown!
Chris Comer has brought Permian back one more time.
We're in this ball game now.
5:27 to play. Carter still leads 34-21.
Come on, Chavo!
Theywill pitch it to Grande.
Ripped away by Chavez!
Let's go!
Come on!
Now strong right, 81 Trojan horse.
All right, here we go. Let's shock these punks.
Strong right, 81 Trojan horse.
Me and you, baby. We got it. Throw it deep. On one, ready.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Mike Winchell to Don Billingsleywill go right.
There's room to run, but stop, wait.
lnstead he's looking for a receiver.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Winchell's open!
Winchell's open in the end zone.
Winchell makes a tremendous catch!
Winchell, with a touchdown reception scores the Mojo touchdown!
(SCREAMlNG)
One more.
But is it too little, too late for Coach Gary Gaines?
Mojo defense is really gonna have to step it up
ifthey have a prayer ofwinning the State Championship.
Grande, across midfield. Tripped up at the 40.
First down! Let's go, baby!
The clock now has to be a concern for Coach Gary Gaines
and the Permian staff.
lVORY: We need to stop.
First and 10 now for Carter from the Permian 30.
Less than two minutes to play.
One more Carter first down, folks, and thatwill be it.
Grande hit!
Yeah, baby!
They do know how to tackle. All right!
lt's my edge.
Second down and long.
Dropped for a loss.
Just keep rolling it, baby.
Come on!
The clock continues to roll.
This will set up third down.
Permian desperately needs a stop to get the ball back.
Grande right up the gut over Chavez!
Maybejust short ofwhat he needs for a first down.
SPORTSCASTER 2: First down here, and the game's over.
REFEREE: lt didn't make it.
lt's short.
SPORTSCASTER 1: That's short, by inches!
James immediately signals he's going for it.
SPORTSCASTER 2: James is going to gamble. He can get these four inches
and win the State Championship, right here, right now.
Here's whatwe're gonna do. We're gonna do a Texas stunt.
lvory, you and Steen, l wantyou to twist.
Steen, you go first. Yo, Coach.
lvory, you come off his butt into the "A" gap.
Lucas, crash the "A" gap, too.
Let's shut these cocky sons-of-guns down.
Now let's go. Let's shut them down.
Let's go. Let's shut them down right now.
PLAYER: Right here. lVORY: Take them.
West Texas football, baby.
SPORTSCASTER 1: Whitaker comes to the line.
Okay, let's go.
Come on, D.
Looks across. Calls the cadence.
Hut!
Hands to his running back. Grande!
Damn it, boy!
l wantyou to show them who we are. Yes, sir.
Okay? Show them who we are.
MlKE: Execute!
SPORTSCASTER 1: As Winchell gathers his teammates up into a huddle
he can see on the big clock down in the end zone
one minute and 40 seconds to play.
One time-out left, and he has 75 yards of Astrodome turfto go.
PLAYER: Go!
Green, 12. Hut!
Winchell swings it out to Comer.
Comer has it, picks up a block.
Thataway, Comer! On three!
Offto Billingsley.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Billingsley great job of picking up
the first down. Stops the clock by going out of bounds.
Okay, let's go. Let's getwild.
Come on, Michael!
You or Raymond!
Let's go!
Winchell takes time as he drops back. He's looking to the right.
Payne is wide open down the right sideline!
The pass is in the air!
SPORTSCASTER 2: The Tennessee-bound Trissell comes across the field
to knock the ball loose.
Payne had it.
l'll tell you. Mike Winchell, folks showing how tough he is...
Come on, baby, get up!
...hanging there under unsurmounting pressure.
Winchell appears to be okay, folks. He's one tough dude.
He's back on his feet. Let's go, baby! We need you, Mike!
"l" right, 90.
Mike, you all right?
Yeah, l'm all right, man.
Under a minute to play, 52 seconds.
Winchell will scan, fake it to Comer. lt's a bootleg pass.
He's latched onto it. lt's Wyles, down to the Carter 25!
Look, l wantyou to feel it.
Show me some heart.
Permian's showing what a tough out they are.
GAlNES: Come on, Donny. Go!
That's a first down! Whose game, baby?
Whose game is it? Come on, there we go.
Clay, he's hurt. He grabs his shoulder.
Trapper helps him offthe field.
Feels like he dislocated his shoulder.
See you, fella!
Shake it off. Get back out there.
Strong left 90 "Z" five, ready?
Break!
SPORTSCASTER 1: Permian with 35 seconds to play go to Comer!
And Comer overthe red zone.
Did you see that? l'll back up when
l'm through talking to you.
SPORTSCASTER 2: Comer is on Queer Street, walking towards the Carter sideline.
Winchell on third down again, will drop the pass.
Hard to the turf, and Permian will
have to burn theirfinal time-out.
ANNCUNCER: The third and finaI time-out.
They have to pass. They've no choice but to pass.
All their backs are out.
We gotta go to the air.
You gotta throw the football.
They ain't got no running back.
Trapper, l need a running back.
All right. Just relax. We'll pop this back in.
On the count ofthree. One, two...
We're good to go.
You're going to set a Bronco stunt
then drop into the full pass, prevent coverage.
You got that? Got it.
SPORTSCASTER 1: So, Clay, ifyou're Gary Gaines, what do you do?
SPORTSCASTER 2: Coach Gaines is done out of running backs.
He's gotta go to the air.
A vertical smash and a double out.
l agree.
Coach, we gotta get number one across the goal line.
Squeeze it. l agree.
Hang on a second.
Billingsley, can you do it?
Yes, sir.
You sure?
Can you hang onto the ball? Yes, sir.
Okay, then.
Now here's what we're going to do.
We're going to do "l" rightwiggle,
34 switchblade. Now, let's go, Mike.
Billingsley, they're gonna try to strip the ball from you.
Cover it. Coverthe points.
Roll with it. Don't resist it.
You got it, baby. No more fumbles.
That's right.
Let's go, baby. lt's in your hands.
Don't think about that shoulder. Just keep driving yourfeet.
"l" rightwiggle, 34 switchblade.
Forthe State Championship.
l love all ofyou, baby.
l love all ofyou. Let's go on one, ready?
Break!
SPORTSCASTER 1: 55,000 people in the Houston Astrodome, folks
and every seat is empty because everyone is on theirfeet.
His offensive line digs in.
The Carter defense digs in to face it.
Down! Switch.
312!
Run it right down his throat.
Hut!
He hands it off to Don Billingsley!
Billingsley is looking like Larry Csonka!
Come on!
Billingsley pushes, runs over another Dallas Carter Cowboy.
Down to the 1-yard line.
What guts to call a run in that situation!
Fooled everybody on the field.
Wait a minute. l'm seeing a hold call by the official.
Dad gum it!
REFEREE: Ten-yard penalty. Still fourth down.
That's bullshit!
Strong right, 20 to Frasier!
Winchell must hurry. The clock will start as soon as the ball is reset.
Come on, Frasier!
Let's go! Hurry up!
32, 330! Set! Hut!
lt's Mike Winchell down to the 5!
ls he in?
You got him short. That's the ball game!
l'm gonna miss the heat.
l'm going to miss the lights.
Yeah. Me, too.
Stay low, boys. Keep those feet moving.
Hey, Chavo. Be perfect.
You be perfect.
See you, Mike.
See you, Don.
See you, Chavo.