Takes place in Odessa, a socially and racially divided and economically troubled oil town in the western part of Texas, where high school football is the thing that brings all the people together. Follows Coach Gary Gaines and the Permian High School Panthers through the 1988 season as they work hard to extend Permian's winning record. Shows the players struggling with typical adolescent issues and the lack of future opportunities in their town as well at the overwhelming pressure of the town's expectations.