Friday Night Lights (2006–2011): Season 3, Episode 12 - Underdogs - full transcript
The Taylors are faced with a decision that could end what is already a fragile friendship with the McCoys. Lila informs her father of her alternate decision after her chances of attending her dream college have fallen through, Landry tries to help Tyra with her college essay, and Matt has dreams of attaining some kind of post-high school education.
I got into Vanderbilt.
Congratulations, baby.
Not that I'll be able to go.
Lyla.
Baby.
The Panthers of Dillon,
Texas, are going to State!
Hey, honey?
Huh?
Look.
Stay here.
No, I'm coming with you.
I don't care what you do, Dad.
All right? Screw you!
No! You don't talk
to me like that!
Joe, stop it!
He hit him. He hit my baby.
And here are your soon-to-be State
Champions, the Dillon Panthers.
All right,
I wanna hear you.
State! State! State! State!
State! State!
The problem is, Clint, is that I
just spent the entire weekend
giving support to
J.D. and to Katie.
And now for me to have to turn around
and call Child Protective Services...
You have a mandate,
you're the boss.
Your husband does too,
by the way.
I honestly just don't think
I can do it, Clint.
Tami, you don't know anything.
You think this might've been
the first time it happened,
but you don't really know that.
All you know is that
you and a lot of other people
witnessed this guy beating up his kid.
That's child abuse.
I know, I know, I know.
It's not like
we have a choice.
No, I don't think we do
have a choice.
Do you want me to do it?
No, I should do it.
I'll do it.
I'll do it.
This is it, folks,
three days till
football Christmas.
Yes, it's no secret
that many of us are worried
that the Panthers are about to
get their stockings stuffed.
Now, South Texas is the best high
school football team I have ever seen.
Even the '81 Panthers would have
a tough time beating this squad.
I'm just saying, Coach Taylor's gonna
need help from above to beat these boys.
Oh! Sorry! Billy! Billy, get out!
I'm going to the bathroom!
Hey, I've really gotta pee,
so how long are you gonna be?
Okay, Billy, close the door, please.
I'm going to the bathroom!
Fine!
I'll just piss in the sink!
Tim, wake your ass up!
Seriously, man.
Hey, I got something
to show you. This is big.
Billy, we have school!
Well, you're gonna have to
skip school, Lyla!
Tim, get your ass up.
This is your future.
Stop!
Love it.
No, seriously, check it out.
What do you think? Huh?
It's beautiful, right?
It's perfect, man.
It was either this or Quiznos,
but I couldn't pass this up.
No. No-brainer.
Yeah, I'm gonna name it
Riggins' Rigs.
It's gonna be awesome.
That's perfect, dude.
Put a hydraulic lift there
where that car is. Yeah.
A little refrigerator over in the
corner stocked full of beer...
Well, it's a
must-have, a must-have.
24I7, fixing cars,
drinking beer.
I mean, what more do you need?
It's awesome, man.
Yeah.
It's awesome.
Yeah.
Hahn, you gotta give
our quarterback time to throw.
That's gonna be key
in this game.
Are you seeing that secondary?
I do.
Coach, you're not
worried about them?
Can't afford to be worried.
Doctor's orders. Bad for the ticker.
These fellas are big
and they're fast.
We've never seen anyone
like them yet this year.
But you know what?
That's the one thing.
They've never faced us before,
either, gentlemen.
Keep that in mind.
It's gonna be a good fight.
It'll be a damned good fight.
Look at that!
I'm so impressed
with this portfolio!
Thanks.
Oh, my Lord.
I don't know,
it's kind of crazy thinking
I might actually
go to school in Chicago.
I know, but I think
you could really do it.
The portfolio's the most important
thing, and you've got great grades.
I think your teachers can give
you great recommendations.
I still gotta get in,
though, so...
What do you think,
Jules?
I think it seems like a
really bright possibility.
And it's in a real city,
and so you have coffee
houses and museums and...
Culture.
That's
right, that's for sure.
More than here.
Hey.
Well?
Well, what do you think?
How do you feel the colleges are
going to respond to this essay?
You hate it. No, you hate it.
Yeah, you hate it. No, no.
No, I didn't say that
I hated this paper at all.
I did not say that I hate...
Okay.
Tyra, I really do
hate this paper.
It's because there were a lot of...
There were a lot of...
A lot of things that
weren't correct.
Well, okay, like what?
Would you explain to me why every paragraph
has a tieback into Applebee's...
Because I use it
as a metaphor. It works.
"Sometimes it gets busy, and you
just have to roll with the punches,
"just like in life... ' '"
It reads like a
five-page needlepoint pillow.
And it... And it's painful.
Okay, see, that's not fair.
It's due this weekend.
Okay, well, you just have to dig
a little bit deeper, and fastly.
I hate you.
All right.
Joe McCoy?
Yeah.
I'm Mark Enderland,
this is Jodie Russi.
We're with
Child Protective Services.
We'd like to speak with you
and your family.
I want a lawyer present
for this questioning, okay?
You can't divide us up like
this and play good cop-bad cop.
Okay, Joe, Joe, calm down.
Has your dad
ever hit you before?
No.
Are you afraid of your
father now?
No. No, I'm not.
I just want this whole thing to be over.
Has he ever
hit your mother?
No!
Are you guys gonna
take him away from me or something?
Okay, no.
This is outrageous.
What country do you
think we're living in?
Mr. McCoy,
I need you to calm down.
If you don't cooperate with us,
we can take your boy out of your
custody pending our investigation.
Oh, my God.
Joe, just shut up! Please!
The coolest thing is, of all the
places to study art, I mean...
Art Institute of Chicago, they got, like,
one of the biggest Van Gogh collections
in the country.
And the thing is, Mrs. Taylor seems to
think I can actually, like, get in there.
Of course you can. Matt,
I told you, you're talented.
I know.
But the only thing is, I just...
I mean, even if I get in, I don't
know how I'm gonna pay for it.
Well, I've got a little saved.
And I can send you
some money each month,
and, you know, people always
need haircuts.
Where are you sending
money? Huh?
Where are you thinking about
going, honey? What's that?
There's this art school at the
Art Institute of Chicago.
Mrs. Taylor, Coach's wife,
she thinks I got a really good
chance of getting in there, maybe.
Chicago?
Chicago? That's...
That's way up in Illinois.
That's too far, honey.
I mean...
What would I do here
without you?
I don't know.
Well, Lorraine, you
know, I still could stay here,
and I'd like to do that.
I think I made it perfectly clear.
I'm not living with you.
Grandma, it was just an idea.
And, Matthew, what's this
nonsense about art school?
Ain't that just gonna waste
a whole bunch of money?
Yeah, I mean, it was
just an idea for a minute.
Wasn't a good idea,
was it? Huh?
Yeah, you're probably right.
Come on, guys,
let's get in here!
Now, coaches and I wanna
recognize someone out here today
not just for what they do on the field,
but what they do off the field.
Which is what we expect
from the players out here.
Where's Lance?
85! 85! Step in the middle.
Let's go.
Lance has earned himself a spot
on special teams, gentlemen!
Oh, yeah, baby!
In the State?
Do us proud.
Let's go, Coach.
You wanna bring them in? Let's go!
So what do you think,
Coach Spivey?
I think we need to spike their Gatorade.
Those kids are huge.
Yeah, but we gotta shut down their
penetration, 'cause he is killing that line.
Coach?
Was that you that called
those people from CPS?
Why don't y'all
give us a minute?
Yes, it was.
Why?
Because it's the law,
that's why.
Why would you call
the cops on my dad?
Do you hate him? Huh?
You think I don't know that?
Son, it's not a matter of that.
You didn't have to do anything.
You... You wanted to!
I'm sorry you think that.
That's not the case, though.
Sorry?
That doesn't help me.
I play football for you,
Coach, that's it!
So how are you?
Oh, honey, I've been knocked
down millions of times before,
I can get back up.
When the going gets tough,
the tough keep going.
But that's not... You know, I just
wanna tell you, Lyla, that...
I owe you an apology.
And the only reason
I did what I did
was because I didn't want
to disappoint you.
But I know it was stupid.
Yes, it was.
But, Lyla, I'd really...
I want you to
move back in, honey.
I really want that.
Okay.
Okay?
Yeah, okay.
I mean, the Riggins house
is disgusting. So, sure.
Oh, so the honeymoon's over.
No, the honeymoon is not over.
Tim and I are doing great,
actually.
And, in fact, the reason
I'm not mad at you anymore
is 'cause the whole college
thing actually worked out.
Hmm.
What do you mean? Well, I'm going
to San Antonio State with Tim.
And we're probably gonna get
a place together.
It's kind of like the whole Vanderbilt thing
not working out was like fate, you know?
Well, okay.
San Antonio State.
Hmm.
Tyra!
I'm in here!
Hey, how's it going?
So I'm going to be playing
in the State game.
I'm not gonna be on the bench, I'm
actually gonna be on the field.
So, listen, whatever crappy seats
that you have, throw them away,
because I have some less crappy seats, and
you're gonna wanna be as close as possible
whenever the magic happens.
Landry, I can't go.
I'm sorry, I know that's lame,
but I have to finish this.
No, you're right.
I know that I'm being selfish.
I know I should be happy for her.
She's, you know,
pursuing her dream.
But at the same time,
this is huge for me, and...
You are being selfish, 'cause you're
really starting to bum me out.
You're killing my buzz.
Dude, that's pathetic.
No, look, if a tree falls in the forest
and there's no one there to hear it,
does it actually make a sound?
What the hell are you talking about?
Who cares?
Would you smile?
Stop talking!
Hey, you grab this drink. We're gonna celebrate, okay?
We're gonna take a shot.
I don't really do well
with alcohol.
To your hard work...
You're gonna do fine.
To your hard work and to State.
To State!
Just take your time. Let's go.
Don't taste it until you sip.
Panthers! Panthers!
Joe.
Listen, I hope for you and I to
find some time to get together,
find a way to maybe help J.
D. through some of this.
Trying to put out that fire
you started, Coach?
Joe, I'm not talking about
any kind of blame
and I'm sure you're not either.
I'm just talking about
helping your son out.
Well, I deeply appreciate your
concern, but I tell you what,
I can handle J.D.
He's just fine.
All right, Joe.
All right, gentlemen,
sit back, enjoy the ride.
Hey. Hey.
Yeah?
Have you seen Landry?
You know where Landry is?
No, man.
I haven't seen him all day.
You haven't?
No.
What the hell?
What?
Hello?
Where the hell are you?
Where are you at?
I'm on the bus
on my way to Austin.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Well, you better start driving
'cause we already left.
I gotta... I gotta...
Mindy!
Mindy.
Tyra!
Stop yelling.
Oh, yeah, totally gonna puke!
Rough night?
Yeah.
Excuse me, Tyra.
You gotta get all your stuff together.
Aren't you supposed to be on a bus?
Actually, I missed the bus,
and I need you to
take me to Austin.
Well, I can't.
Because I don't... I can't drive
because I'm pretty sure I'm still...
I'm still, like, legally drunk.
So will you please...
Okay, okay, you need to calm down for a second.
Okay. Hey. So, deal?
Deal is...
What?
You help me with this,
and I will drive you.
That's... That's fine.
I'll help you with whatever it is...
Panther,
Panther, Panther Blue and gold
What?
Take the ball off the field
and then we score
What? Hope is number one
Hit squad's the best
What? Panther, Panther,
Panther Say, forget the rest
I said hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
I feel all right
I feel all right
I said hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
I feel all right
I feel all right
I said
Panther, Panther, Panther
I feel all right
How you all feel
going into the game?
I really do feel like we're
gonna get the W here.
Yeah?
Yeah.
You really think you guys...
Marty Booker used to play
quarterback, now he's a receiver.
Seneca Wallace, you know,
he's the backup on Seattle,
but he plays receiver
when Hasselbeck's in there...
Has Matthew ever said anything to
you about wanting to be an artist?
Well, he's really good
at drawing,
and it's something
that he really loves.
I mean, you've seen his stuff,
haven't you?
Yeah. Oh, yeah, I've seen it, all
that artwork, and it's good,
but I never thought
he was serious.
I mean,
he loves football, honey.
Well, he does
love football, but...
I just don't think it's
a career path he wants.
He's really, really
good at art.
Well, I always encourage him.
Everything he does, I encourage him.
I know.
He knows that, too.
Mmm.
I don't want to be the one to
hold him back from anything.
I know. Me neither.
No, I'm ready to take us
to win the State.
I'm ready to win the
championship, so...
But I'll see y'all later.
Well, thank you so much for your time.
Thanks very much.
Hey. Hey!
I know...
I know this is a difficult situation.
I understand that. It's not lost on me.
This team's depending on you.
That means there's a freedom.
That's not pressure.
I want you to at least
acknowledge what I'm saying.
Yes, sir.
Hey.
Just try to leave it
off the field.
Katie!
Hey, hey, I've been trying to
reach you.
Oh, you know, I was just
heading off to my room.
No, listen, I know,
I know, but...
You know what? I know you must
be furious at me. I just...
I've been thinking about you.
I just want to know how you're doing.
Well...
Let's see.
Two flunkies from the
State of Texas
barge into my house and scare
the hell out of me and my boy.
Joe and I have to take parenting
classes from some 23-year-old
who doesn't even have kids.
And for the next year, CPS can just
drop by whenever they feel like it.
If they don't like what they
see, they can take J.D. away.
Katie, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
I... Really, I just...
I just... I want you just
to know I had no choice.
Mmm.
Okay? I had no choice.
I would never do that to you, you
are my friend, and I'm so sorry.
Well, you do
what you had to do.
Now you'll forgive me if I want
nothing to do with you, right?
Yes.
Read back what we have so far.
Okay. "Facing the challenges of
being the student body president
"has helped me to develop skills
and an appreciation... ' '"
When did you become so mean?
You obviously don't believe
any of what you're saying.
Fine, Landry, why don't you
tell me what to write?
I don't...
This is your essay.
Should I write about
my trashy family?
About the fact that
my sister's a stripper,
or my mom is a
high school dropout
who drinks boxes of wine
like it's water?
Or about the fact that I lost
my virginity when I was 13?
Or the fact that my papa
wasn't around? How about that?
Ooh! I know what I should write about!
The fact that up until two years ago,
I had enough hate in my heart
to start a frikking car!
What changed?
What? What changed
from two years ago?
Why did you stop having enough hate in
your heart to start a frikking car?
Jason Street got paralyzed.
I realized that...
He was this great guy.
I mean, like, this hero.
And it happened to him?
And it made me realize that
life isn't fair for anybody,
not just me.
Uh-huh, and what else?
I don't know.
I became friends with Julie,
and Mrs. Taylor started
to take some interest in me.
I started doing my homework.
You.
I met you.
I started to feel like I was on the
inside instead of the outside.
Hey, what are you doing
next year?
Guess I'm going to
San Antonio State.
Okay. Does that mean...
Are you excited about that?
Am I excited?
I guess I'm kind of
focusing on tomorrow
and don't really wanna look
that far ahead, you know?
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
Hey, it's a Frisbee!
You sure you wanna
touch that right now, Seven?
That's probably covered
in dog piss.
It's not covered in dog piss!
It's just a Frisbee.
Last game, Seven!
No regrets.
What are you doing over there?
You running in place or something?
Come on, now.
I can't get comfortable.
Well, I can't either.
Come here.
What are you doing?
Come with me outside. Come on.
Put your shoes on.
It didn't go off.
I have no idea what's gonna
happen tomorrow, babe.
Well, you're gonna win.
Or you're gonna lose.
Either way, the sun's gonna
come up the next morning.
"Two years ago, I was
afraid of wanting anything.
"I figured wanting
would lead to trying,
"and trying would lead
to failure.
"But now I find
I can't stop wanting.
"I wanna fly somewhere
in first class.
"I wanna travel to Europe
on a business trip.
"I wanna get invited
to the White House.
"I wanna learn about the world.
I wanna surprise myself.
"I wanna be important.
I wanna be the best person I can be.
"I wanna define myself instead
of having others define me."
There it is!
"I wanna win and have
people be happy for me.
"I wanna lose and get over it.
"I wanna not be afraid
of the unknown.
"I wanna grow up to be
generous and big-hearted
"the way that people
have been with me.
"I want an interesting
and surprising life.
"It's not that I think I'm
gonna get all these things,
"I just want the possibility
of getting them.
"College represents
possibility,
"the possibility that things
are gonna change.
"I can't wait.' '"
What'd you think?
I thought it was unbelievable.
Mmm. It's great.
I think it's great, too.
Let me just ask you
one question.
Can you play like champions?
Yes, sir!
Let's go get them.
It's the Texas 5A
State Championship.
The Dillon Panthers
facing the South Texas Titans
in what looks like a real
David and Goliath match-up.
The Titans have scored early and often
on their way to an unbeaten season,
and they're as big and as fast
as anyone has ever seen.
Tails!
We called tails.
The Titans have won
the toss, elected to receive,
and Coach Taylor hopes
his defense
can hold the Titans
on this first possession.
Titans on offense.
Quarterback drops back
to pass. He throws deep.
And true to form,
six points on the board
in a hurry.
Come on!
All of the Panthers'
hopes are riding on the shoulders
of the freshman phenom,
J.D. McCoy.
Hut!
He drops back...
Pressure's on.
Oh! And he
gets taken down hard!
All right!
Hut!
McCoy drops back.
McCoy! McCoy!
He looks for a
receiver downfield...
Interception! It's picked up,
and he can walk that one in.
Touchdown number 2!
Damn it!
Come on, guys!
Hey, it's just one play.
Shake it off.
Seriously, just run your
routes, man, all right? Geez!
You gotta look 'em up
before you throw the ball.
I'm not getting no time
out there, Coach!
Hut!
J.D. drops back.
He looks...
He's running out of time.
He just gets that one off.
Ooh! And it's incomplete.
Hut!
Titans on the blitz.
And he goes down again!
Hut!
McCoy back to pass...
He better get rid of it!
And he's sacked for another loss,
as the Titans make J.D. pay
for his inexperience.
Come on, you guys!
Give me the time to throw the ball!
Relax.
Huddle up,
huddle up, right now!
Huddle up!
Come on! J. D!
J.D. come here! What?
What, Coach? What do you want?
You settle down.
Don't you talk to me like that.
Second of all, you settle down.
We've got a lot of game
ahead of us.
Do you understand me?
Do you understand me? Yeah.
Look at me when you say that!
Do you understand me?
Yes, sir!
Let's go.
First half
is almost over,
and Taylor would really love
to get something on the board
and go into the locker room
on a positive note.
Hut!
McCoy drops back...
He's got Riggins
in the end zone.
He's thrown it, and it is intercepted!
The Titans have it!
He has got a ton of room,
one man to beat,
and he is off to the races!
Come on!
That is the
second Titan touchdown
off a Panther turnover.
Aren't you proud?
You did good! You did good!
Hey! You give me no
protection out there. None!
God, guys! Come on!
Defense! Defense!
We need more.
Offensive line, you look like
you're on roller skates.
We have got to stay
in our splits!
Everyone has got to
come off the ball!
Backside, you have got to
pick up the stunts.
Coach Spivey, we're gonna readjust.
Base defense, press coverage.
We are not gonna allow any more
big plays tonight, gentlemen!
What are you looking at?
You wanna be out there on that field so bad?
Yes, sir.
Well, then, show me something!
J.D. you're out.
Matt, change up your pads,
you're in.
No! No!
There's a fight going on out there, gentlemen.
Why don't you get in it?
Clear eyes, full hearts.
Can't lose!
Only 24 minutes of
football left in this season
as the Panthers take the field.
Let's hope they've learned their lessons
from the mistakes of the first half.
And the second half
is underway.
Panthers have it at the five.
He brings it out to the 10...
To the 20...
He's got some room to the 30!
He's got a head of steam!
Go on, baby!
Go, baby!
To the 40...
And Landry Clarke
makes an incredible block,
and the Panthers have it
at the 40, the 30...
Go! Go! Go!
He could go all the way!
Touchdown, Panthers!
We started right,
gentlemen!
Yeah, baby!
In a huge reversal, Coach Taylor has
gone back to veteran QB Matt Saracen,
trying to get his Panthers
back in this game.
He dumps a screen pass
off to Riggins.
Riggins has got some blockers
in front of him...
He breaks one tackle,
he's into the end zone...
Stiff-arm!
And touchdown, Panthers!
And the Panthers have
come out firing
by putting 14 unanswered
points on the board.
Hut!
Saracen with a
play-action pass.
He looks.
Oh, and he takes off...
And look at him go!
He breaks a tackle.
And another.
Touchdown, Panthers!
And Coach Taylor's new,
old offense
has his team a touchdown
from the lead!
We have to do the same thing,
all right? Same thing!
Set, hut!
Vice quarterback
back to pass.
And intercepted
by the Panthers!
With less than two minutes to
play, the Panthers have the ball
on the Titan 30-yard line.
A touchdown and a conversion
gives them the lead.
4-0-8!
Hut!
Saracen takes the snap
and pitches off to Riggins.
Riggins runs right...
And he's looking to pass!
And he throws deep...
And he's got Matt Saracen
on the logo! Touchdown!
Unbelievable, folks!
The Panthers have
taken the lead
with just over a minute
and a half to play!
Here we go.
That's how you go.
That's what I'm talking about.
That's how you go.
The Panther fans are
celebrating like they have the game won,
but as the Titans and
Coach Taylor well know,
the game is not over
until the final whistle blows.
Defense! Defense!
Thirty-seven seconds
left in the game,
and the Titans are
driving down the field.
Davis back to pass,
a quick slant, and he's got it!
The Titans are into
Panther territory.
Inside, play inside!
All on the Panther 45 as the
Titans approach the line.
Bring them inside!
There's the snap.
Go! Get on him! Go!
He is gonna run...
Stay in there!
He picks up a block, and he has
sprung to the 40 and wrestled down
at the Panther 36.
It's a hurry-up offense.
The clock is ticking.
White! White! You have got
to stay in there!
Davis is back to pass...
He's got a man...
Oh, and it is complete
at the Panther 19-yard line!
This is it, folks.
Just six seconds left, and this
game comes down to one last play.
The Titans are going
for the field goal.
Bad news for the Panthers,
the Titans' kicker
hasn't missed from
this range all year.
This has been a valiant effort
by the Dillon Panthers.
I wanted everyone's friends and family
to be in here to hear this, gentlemen.
I have never been more proud
of a team than I am right now.
I am in awe of each and
every one of you gentlemen.
You played great
football tonight.
This is the game that people are
gonna talk about for years to come.
This is the game
you're gonna talk about.
There's not a single person in this
room that's ever gonna be the same.
You be proud of yourselves.
'Cause, gentlemen,
you are champions.
It's okay.
Is that everybody?
No, Riggins hasn't
made it on yet.
Want me to send
somebody out there?
No, let's give him a minute.
He'll be here.
Congratulations, baby.
Not that I'll be able to go.
Lyla.
Baby.
The Panthers of Dillon,
Texas, are going to State!
Hey, honey?
Huh?
Look.
Stay here.
No, I'm coming with you.
I don't care what you do, Dad.
All right? Screw you!
No! You don't talk
to me like that!
Joe, stop it!
He hit him. He hit my baby.
And here are your soon-to-be State
Champions, the Dillon Panthers.
All right,
I wanna hear you.
State! State! State! State!
State! State!
The problem is, Clint, is that I
just spent the entire weekend
giving support to
J.D. and to Katie.
And now for me to have to turn around
and call Child Protective Services...
You have a mandate,
you're the boss.
Your husband does too,
by the way.
I honestly just don't think
I can do it, Clint.
Tami, you don't know anything.
You think this might've been
the first time it happened,
but you don't really know that.
All you know is that
you and a lot of other people
witnessed this guy beating up his kid.
That's child abuse.
I know, I know, I know.
It's not like
we have a choice.
No, I don't think we do
have a choice.
Do you want me to do it?
No, I should do it.
I'll do it.
I'll do it.
This is it, folks,
three days till
football Christmas.
Yes, it's no secret
that many of us are worried
that the Panthers are about to
get their stockings stuffed.
Now, South Texas is the best high
school football team I have ever seen.
Even the '81 Panthers would have
a tough time beating this squad.
I'm just saying, Coach Taylor's gonna
need help from above to beat these boys.
Oh! Sorry! Billy! Billy, get out!
I'm going to the bathroom!
Hey, I've really gotta pee,
so how long are you gonna be?
Okay, Billy, close the door, please.
I'm going to the bathroom!
Fine!
I'll just piss in the sink!
Tim, wake your ass up!
Seriously, man.
Hey, I got something
to show you. This is big.
Billy, we have school!
Well, you're gonna have to
skip school, Lyla!
Tim, get your ass up.
This is your future.
Stop!
Love it.
No, seriously, check it out.
What do you think? Huh?
It's beautiful, right?
It's perfect, man.
It was either this or Quiznos,
but I couldn't pass this up.
No. No-brainer.
Yeah, I'm gonna name it
Riggins' Rigs.
It's gonna be awesome.
That's perfect, dude.
Put a hydraulic lift there
where that car is. Yeah.
A little refrigerator over in the
corner stocked full of beer...
Well, it's a
must-have, a must-have.
24I7, fixing cars,
drinking beer.
I mean, what more do you need?
It's awesome, man.
Yeah.
It's awesome.
Yeah.
Hahn, you gotta give
our quarterback time to throw.
That's gonna be key
in this game.
Are you seeing that secondary?
I do.
Coach, you're not
worried about them?
Can't afford to be worried.
Doctor's orders. Bad for the ticker.
These fellas are big
and they're fast.
We've never seen anyone
like them yet this year.
But you know what?
That's the one thing.
They've never faced us before,
either, gentlemen.
Keep that in mind.
It's gonna be a good fight.
It'll be a damned good fight.
Look at that!
I'm so impressed
with this portfolio!
Thanks.
Oh, my Lord.
I don't know,
it's kind of crazy thinking
I might actually
go to school in Chicago.
I know, but I think
you could really do it.
The portfolio's the most important
thing, and you've got great grades.
I think your teachers can give
you great recommendations.
I still gotta get in,
though, so...
What do you think,
Jules?
I think it seems like a
really bright possibility.
And it's in a real city,
and so you have coffee
houses and museums and...
Culture.
That's
right, that's for sure.
More than here.
Hey.
Well?
Well, what do you think?
How do you feel the colleges are
going to respond to this essay?
You hate it. No, you hate it.
Yeah, you hate it. No, no.
No, I didn't say that
I hated this paper at all.
I did not say that I hate...
Okay.
Tyra, I really do
hate this paper.
It's because there were a lot of...
There were a lot of...
A lot of things that
weren't correct.
Well, okay, like what?
Would you explain to me why every paragraph
has a tieback into Applebee's...
Because I use it
as a metaphor. It works.
"Sometimes it gets busy, and you
just have to roll with the punches,
"just like in life... ' '"
It reads like a
five-page needlepoint pillow.
And it... And it's painful.
Okay, see, that's not fair.
It's due this weekend.
Okay, well, you just have to dig
a little bit deeper, and fastly.
I hate you.
All right.
Joe McCoy?
Yeah.
I'm Mark Enderland,
this is Jodie Russi.
We're with
Child Protective Services.
We'd like to speak with you
and your family.
I want a lawyer present
for this questioning, okay?
You can't divide us up like
this and play good cop-bad cop.
Okay, Joe, Joe, calm down.
Has your dad
ever hit you before?
No.
Are you afraid of your
father now?
No. No, I'm not.
I just want this whole thing to be over.
Has he ever
hit your mother?
No!
Are you guys gonna
take him away from me or something?
Okay, no.
This is outrageous.
What country do you
think we're living in?
Mr. McCoy,
I need you to calm down.
If you don't cooperate with us,
we can take your boy out of your
custody pending our investigation.
Oh, my God.
Joe, just shut up! Please!
The coolest thing is, of all the
places to study art, I mean...
Art Institute of Chicago, they got, like,
one of the biggest Van Gogh collections
in the country.
And the thing is, Mrs. Taylor seems to
think I can actually, like, get in there.
Of course you can. Matt,
I told you, you're talented.
I know.
But the only thing is, I just...
I mean, even if I get in, I don't
know how I'm gonna pay for it.
Well, I've got a little saved.
And I can send you
some money each month,
and, you know, people always
need haircuts.
Where are you sending
money? Huh?
Where are you thinking about
going, honey? What's that?
There's this art school at the
Art Institute of Chicago.
Mrs. Taylor, Coach's wife,
she thinks I got a really good
chance of getting in there, maybe.
Chicago?
Chicago? That's...
That's way up in Illinois.
That's too far, honey.
I mean...
What would I do here
without you?
I don't know.
Well, Lorraine, you
know, I still could stay here,
and I'd like to do that.
I think I made it perfectly clear.
I'm not living with you.
Grandma, it was just an idea.
And, Matthew, what's this
nonsense about art school?
Ain't that just gonna waste
a whole bunch of money?
Yeah, I mean, it was
just an idea for a minute.
Wasn't a good idea,
was it? Huh?
Yeah, you're probably right.
Come on, guys,
let's get in here!
Now, coaches and I wanna
recognize someone out here today
not just for what they do on the field,
but what they do off the field.
Which is what we expect
from the players out here.
Where's Lance?
85! 85! Step in the middle.
Let's go.
Lance has earned himself a spot
on special teams, gentlemen!
Oh, yeah, baby!
In the State?
Do us proud.
Let's go, Coach.
You wanna bring them in? Let's go!
So what do you think,
Coach Spivey?
I think we need to spike their Gatorade.
Those kids are huge.
Yeah, but we gotta shut down their
penetration, 'cause he is killing that line.
Coach?
Was that you that called
those people from CPS?
Why don't y'all
give us a minute?
Yes, it was.
Why?
Because it's the law,
that's why.
Why would you call
the cops on my dad?
Do you hate him? Huh?
You think I don't know that?
Son, it's not a matter of that.
You didn't have to do anything.
You... You wanted to!
I'm sorry you think that.
That's not the case, though.
Sorry?
That doesn't help me.
I play football for you,
Coach, that's it!
So how are you?
Oh, honey, I've been knocked
down millions of times before,
I can get back up.
When the going gets tough,
the tough keep going.
But that's not... You know, I just
wanna tell you, Lyla, that...
I owe you an apology.
And the only reason
I did what I did
was because I didn't want
to disappoint you.
But I know it was stupid.
Yes, it was.
But, Lyla, I'd really...
I want you to
move back in, honey.
I really want that.
Okay.
Okay?
Yeah, okay.
I mean, the Riggins house
is disgusting. So, sure.
Oh, so the honeymoon's over.
No, the honeymoon is not over.
Tim and I are doing great,
actually.
And, in fact, the reason
I'm not mad at you anymore
is 'cause the whole college
thing actually worked out.
Hmm.
What do you mean? Well, I'm going
to San Antonio State with Tim.
And we're probably gonna get
a place together.
It's kind of like the whole Vanderbilt thing
not working out was like fate, you know?
Well, okay.
San Antonio State.
Hmm.
Tyra!
I'm in here!
Hey, how's it going?
So I'm going to be playing
in the State game.
I'm not gonna be on the bench, I'm
actually gonna be on the field.
So, listen, whatever crappy seats
that you have, throw them away,
because I have some less crappy seats, and
you're gonna wanna be as close as possible
whenever the magic happens.
Landry, I can't go.
I'm sorry, I know that's lame,
but I have to finish this.
No, you're right.
I know that I'm being selfish.
I know I should be happy for her.
She's, you know,
pursuing her dream.
But at the same time,
this is huge for me, and...
You are being selfish, 'cause you're
really starting to bum me out.
You're killing my buzz.
Dude, that's pathetic.
No, look, if a tree falls in the forest
and there's no one there to hear it,
does it actually make a sound?
What the hell are you talking about?
Who cares?
Would you smile?
Stop talking!
Hey, you grab this drink. We're gonna celebrate, okay?
We're gonna take a shot.
I don't really do well
with alcohol.
To your hard work...
You're gonna do fine.
To your hard work and to State.
To State!
Just take your time. Let's go.
Don't taste it until you sip.
Panthers! Panthers!
Joe.
Listen, I hope for you and I to
find some time to get together,
find a way to maybe help J.
D. through some of this.
Trying to put out that fire
you started, Coach?
Joe, I'm not talking about
any kind of blame
and I'm sure you're not either.
I'm just talking about
helping your son out.
Well, I deeply appreciate your
concern, but I tell you what,
I can handle J.D.
He's just fine.
All right, Joe.
All right, gentlemen,
sit back, enjoy the ride.
Hey. Hey.
Yeah?
Have you seen Landry?
You know where Landry is?
No, man.
I haven't seen him all day.
You haven't?
No.
What the hell?
What?
Hello?
Where the hell are you?
Where are you at?
I'm on the bus
on my way to Austin.
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Well, you better start driving
'cause we already left.
I gotta... I gotta...
Mindy!
Mindy.
Tyra!
Stop yelling.
Oh, yeah, totally gonna puke!
Rough night?
Yeah.
Excuse me, Tyra.
You gotta get all your stuff together.
Aren't you supposed to be on a bus?
Actually, I missed the bus,
and I need you to
take me to Austin.
Well, I can't.
Because I don't... I can't drive
because I'm pretty sure I'm still...
I'm still, like, legally drunk.
So will you please...
Okay, okay, you need to calm down for a second.
Okay. Hey. So, deal?
Deal is...
What?
You help me with this,
and I will drive you.
That's... That's fine.
I'll help you with whatever it is...
Panther,
Panther, Panther Blue and gold
What?
Take the ball off the field
and then we score
What? Hope is number one
Hit squad's the best
What? Panther, Panther,
Panther Say, forget the rest
I said hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
I feel all right
I feel all right
I said hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
I feel all right
I feel all right
I said
Panther, Panther, Panther
I feel all right
How you all feel
going into the game?
I really do feel like we're
gonna get the W here.
Yeah?
Yeah.
You really think you guys...
Marty Booker used to play
quarterback, now he's a receiver.
Seneca Wallace, you know,
he's the backup on Seattle,
but he plays receiver
when Hasselbeck's in there...
Has Matthew ever said anything to
you about wanting to be an artist?
Well, he's really good
at drawing,
and it's something
that he really loves.
I mean, you've seen his stuff,
haven't you?
Yeah. Oh, yeah, I've seen it, all
that artwork, and it's good,
but I never thought
he was serious.
I mean,
he loves football, honey.
Well, he does
love football, but...
I just don't think it's
a career path he wants.
He's really, really
good at art.
Well, I always encourage him.
Everything he does, I encourage him.
I know.
He knows that, too.
Mmm.
I don't want to be the one to
hold him back from anything.
I know. Me neither.
No, I'm ready to take us
to win the State.
I'm ready to win the
championship, so...
But I'll see y'all later.
Well, thank you so much for your time.
Thanks very much.
Hey. Hey!
I know...
I know this is a difficult situation.
I understand that. It's not lost on me.
This team's depending on you.
That means there's a freedom.
That's not pressure.
I want you to at least
acknowledge what I'm saying.
Yes, sir.
Hey.
Just try to leave it
off the field.
Katie!
Hey, hey, I've been trying to
reach you.
Oh, you know, I was just
heading off to my room.
No, listen, I know,
I know, but...
You know what? I know you must
be furious at me. I just...
I've been thinking about you.
I just want to know how you're doing.
Well...
Let's see.
Two flunkies from the
State of Texas
barge into my house and scare
the hell out of me and my boy.
Joe and I have to take parenting
classes from some 23-year-old
who doesn't even have kids.
And for the next year, CPS can just
drop by whenever they feel like it.
If they don't like what they
see, they can take J.D. away.
Katie, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
I... Really, I just...
I just... I want you just
to know I had no choice.
Mmm.
Okay? I had no choice.
I would never do that to you, you
are my friend, and I'm so sorry.
Well, you do
what you had to do.
Now you'll forgive me if I want
nothing to do with you, right?
Yes.
Read back what we have so far.
Okay. "Facing the challenges of
being the student body president
"has helped me to develop skills
and an appreciation... ' '"
When did you become so mean?
You obviously don't believe
any of what you're saying.
Fine, Landry, why don't you
tell me what to write?
I don't...
This is your essay.
Should I write about
my trashy family?
About the fact that
my sister's a stripper,
or my mom is a
high school dropout
who drinks boxes of wine
like it's water?
Or about the fact that I lost
my virginity when I was 13?
Or the fact that my papa
wasn't around? How about that?
Ooh! I know what I should write about!
The fact that up until two years ago,
I had enough hate in my heart
to start a frikking car!
What changed?
What? What changed
from two years ago?
Why did you stop having enough hate in
your heart to start a frikking car?
Jason Street got paralyzed.
I realized that...
He was this great guy.
I mean, like, this hero.
And it happened to him?
And it made me realize that
life isn't fair for anybody,
not just me.
Uh-huh, and what else?
I don't know.
I became friends with Julie,
and Mrs. Taylor started
to take some interest in me.
I started doing my homework.
You.
I met you.
I started to feel like I was on the
inside instead of the outside.
Hey, what are you doing
next year?
Guess I'm going to
San Antonio State.
Okay. Does that mean...
Are you excited about that?
Am I excited?
I guess I'm kind of
focusing on tomorrow
and don't really wanna look
that far ahead, you know?
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
Hey, it's a Frisbee!
You sure you wanna
touch that right now, Seven?
That's probably covered
in dog piss.
It's not covered in dog piss!
It's just a Frisbee.
Last game, Seven!
No regrets.
What are you doing over there?
You running in place or something?
Come on, now.
I can't get comfortable.
Well, I can't either.
Come here.
What are you doing?
Come with me outside. Come on.
Put your shoes on.
It didn't go off.
I have no idea what's gonna
happen tomorrow, babe.
Well, you're gonna win.
Or you're gonna lose.
Either way, the sun's gonna
come up the next morning.
"Two years ago, I was
afraid of wanting anything.
"I figured wanting
would lead to trying,
"and trying would lead
to failure.
"But now I find
I can't stop wanting.
"I wanna fly somewhere
in first class.
"I wanna travel to Europe
on a business trip.
"I wanna get invited
to the White House.
"I wanna learn about the world.
I wanna surprise myself.
"I wanna be important.
I wanna be the best person I can be.
"I wanna define myself instead
of having others define me."
There it is!
"I wanna win and have
people be happy for me.
"I wanna lose and get over it.
"I wanna not be afraid
of the unknown.
"I wanna grow up to be
generous and big-hearted
"the way that people
have been with me.
"I want an interesting
and surprising life.
"It's not that I think I'm
gonna get all these things,
"I just want the possibility
of getting them.
"College represents
possibility,
"the possibility that things
are gonna change.
"I can't wait.' '"
What'd you think?
I thought it was unbelievable.
Mmm. It's great.
I think it's great, too.
Let me just ask you
one question.
Can you play like champions?
Yes, sir!
Let's go get them.
It's the Texas 5A
State Championship.
The Dillon Panthers
facing the South Texas Titans
in what looks like a real
David and Goliath match-up.
The Titans have scored early and often
on their way to an unbeaten season,
and they're as big and as fast
as anyone has ever seen.
Tails!
We called tails.
The Titans have won
the toss, elected to receive,
and Coach Taylor hopes
his defense
can hold the Titans
on this first possession.
Titans on offense.
Quarterback drops back
to pass. He throws deep.
And true to form,
six points on the board
in a hurry.
Come on!
All of the Panthers'
hopes are riding on the shoulders
of the freshman phenom,
J.D. McCoy.
Hut!
He drops back...
Pressure's on.
Oh! And he
gets taken down hard!
All right!
Hut!
McCoy drops back.
McCoy! McCoy!
He looks for a
receiver downfield...
Interception! It's picked up,
and he can walk that one in.
Touchdown number 2!
Damn it!
Come on, guys!
Hey, it's just one play.
Shake it off.
Seriously, just run your
routes, man, all right? Geez!
You gotta look 'em up
before you throw the ball.
I'm not getting no time
out there, Coach!
Hut!
J.D. drops back.
He looks...
He's running out of time.
He just gets that one off.
Ooh! And it's incomplete.
Hut!
Titans on the blitz.
And he goes down again!
Hut!
McCoy back to pass...
He better get rid of it!
And he's sacked for another loss,
as the Titans make J.D. pay
for his inexperience.
Come on, you guys!
Give me the time to throw the ball!
Relax.
Huddle up,
huddle up, right now!
Huddle up!
Come on! J. D!
J.D. come here! What?
What, Coach? What do you want?
You settle down.
Don't you talk to me like that.
Second of all, you settle down.
We've got a lot of game
ahead of us.
Do you understand me?
Do you understand me? Yeah.
Look at me when you say that!
Do you understand me?
Yes, sir!
Let's go.
First half
is almost over,
and Taylor would really love
to get something on the board
and go into the locker room
on a positive note.
Hut!
McCoy drops back...
He's got Riggins
in the end zone.
He's thrown it, and it is intercepted!
The Titans have it!
He has got a ton of room,
one man to beat,
and he is off to the races!
Come on!
That is the
second Titan touchdown
off a Panther turnover.
Aren't you proud?
You did good! You did good!
Hey! You give me no
protection out there. None!
God, guys! Come on!
Defense! Defense!
We need more.
Offensive line, you look like
you're on roller skates.
We have got to stay
in our splits!
Everyone has got to
come off the ball!
Backside, you have got to
pick up the stunts.
Coach Spivey, we're gonna readjust.
Base defense, press coverage.
We are not gonna allow any more
big plays tonight, gentlemen!
What are you looking at?
You wanna be out there on that field so bad?
Yes, sir.
Well, then, show me something!
J.D. you're out.
Matt, change up your pads,
you're in.
No! No!
There's a fight going on out there, gentlemen.
Why don't you get in it?
Clear eyes, full hearts.
Can't lose!
Only 24 minutes of
football left in this season
as the Panthers take the field.
Let's hope they've learned their lessons
from the mistakes of the first half.
And the second half
is underway.
Panthers have it at the five.
He brings it out to the 10...
To the 20...
He's got some room to the 30!
He's got a head of steam!
Go on, baby!
Go, baby!
To the 40...
And Landry Clarke
makes an incredible block,
and the Panthers have it
at the 40, the 30...
Go! Go! Go!
He could go all the way!
Touchdown, Panthers!
We started right,
gentlemen!
Yeah, baby!
In a huge reversal, Coach Taylor has
gone back to veteran QB Matt Saracen,
trying to get his Panthers
back in this game.
He dumps a screen pass
off to Riggins.
Riggins has got some blockers
in front of him...
He breaks one tackle,
he's into the end zone...
Stiff-arm!
And touchdown, Panthers!
And the Panthers have
come out firing
by putting 14 unanswered
points on the board.
Hut!
Saracen with a
play-action pass.
He looks.
Oh, and he takes off...
And look at him go!
He breaks a tackle.
And another.
Touchdown, Panthers!
And Coach Taylor's new,
old offense
has his team a touchdown
from the lead!
We have to do the same thing,
all right? Same thing!
Set, hut!
Vice quarterback
back to pass.
And intercepted
by the Panthers!
With less than two minutes to
play, the Panthers have the ball
on the Titan 30-yard line.
A touchdown and a conversion
gives them the lead.
4-0-8!
Hut!
Saracen takes the snap
and pitches off to Riggins.
Riggins runs right...
And he's looking to pass!
And he throws deep...
And he's got Matt Saracen
on the logo! Touchdown!
Unbelievable, folks!
The Panthers have
taken the lead
with just over a minute
and a half to play!
Here we go.
That's how you go.
That's what I'm talking about.
That's how you go.
The Panther fans are
celebrating like they have the game won,
but as the Titans and
Coach Taylor well know,
the game is not over
until the final whistle blows.
Defense! Defense!
Thirty-seven seconds
left in the game,
and the Titans are
driving down the field.
Davis back to pass,
a quick slant, and he's got it!
The Titans are into
Panther territory.
Inside, play inside!
All on the Panther 45 as the
Titans approach the line.
Bring them inside!
There's the snap.
Go! Get on him! Go!
He is gonna run...
Stay in there!
He picks up a block, and he has
sprung to the 40 and wrestled down
at the Panther 36.
It's a hurry-up offense.
The clock is ticking.
White! White! You have got
to stay in there!
Davis is back to pass...
He's got a man...
Oh, and it is complete
at the Panther 19-yard line!
This is it, folks.
Just six seconds left, and this
game comes down to one last play.
The Titans are going
for the field goal.
Bad news for the Panthers,
the Titans' kicker
hasn't missed from
this range all year.
This has been a valiant effort
by the Dillon Panthers.
I wanted everyone's friends and family
to be in here to hear this, gentlemen.
I have never been more proud
of a team than I am right now.
I am in awe of each and
every one of you gentlemen.
You played great
football tonight.
This is the game that people are
gonna talk about for years to come.
This is the game
you're gonna talk about.
There's not a single person in this
room that's ever gonna be the same.
You be proud of yourselves.
'Cause, gentlemen,
you are champions.
It's okay.
Is that everybody?
No, Riggins hasn't
made it on yet.
Want me to send
somebody out there?
No, let's give him a minute.
He'll be here.