With two seconds left, Winchell runs the ball toward the goal line, but is stopped just short, and Carter wins the championship. Billingsley takes the ball to the 1 yard line on fourth down, but the play is called back due to a holding penalty.
Winchell, Billingsley, and Comer are all injured, but the former two reenter the game.
They stop Carter on fourth and inches, leaving the offense to go 75 yards in less than two minutes for the win. However, Permian's defense improves its tackling and the offense pushes through despite injuries as the Panthers score 14 unanswered points to cut the deficit to six. In the second half, Carter gains a 20-point lead after a pass on fourth down which hit the turf is erroneously ruled complete. They are initially overwhelmed by Carter's superior size and fall behind, although an interception by Christian helps get them on the board before halftime. Miles rejoins the team and watches from the sidelines as the Panthers head into the game. Permian and Carter make it to the state championship game, which is held at the Astrodome. Permian is successful in the playoffs, but all eyes are on the state powerhouse Dallas Carter High School. While in his uncle's car, he cries about his future being bleak now that he no longer has football. Permian and Lee win the toss, and as the Panthers prepare for the playoffs, Miles clears his locker. The loss puts Permian in a three-way tie for first place with Lee and Abilene Cooper, and a coin toss is held to determine which two teams make the playoffs.
Charles partially apologizes and makes the point that his state championship was the best thing that happened to him, and he now has nothing happy except those memories. The next morning, Don reveals to his father that he recovered the championship ring and gives it back to him. After the game, Billingsley fights with his drunk father, who throws his state championship ring onto the side of the freeway. Winchell leads a comeback drive, but Permian loses as his final pass flies over the receiver's hands. The Panthers fall behind, and Gaines puts Miles in out of desperation, but Miles is soon injured again. Permian plays its final district game against Midland Lee, with first place and a playoff spot on the line. Miles holds out hope that he can return to playing soon, and although his MRI scan shows otherwise, he rejects it and lies to Gaines so he can suit up again, with his uncle and guardian L.V. Despite their small size, Permian's defense proves to be stout under the leadership of safety Brian Chavez and linebacker Ivory Christian, and the Panthers go on a five-game winning streak. However, after the Panthers fall behind by 14 in the next game, Comer comes into the game after the second-string running back gets injured and helps Winchell and Billingsley get Permian's offense rolling again, leading them to a comeback win. In the next game during the start of district play, Permian gets blown out as Winchell struggles with consistency in his increased role. Miles tears his ACL after being tackled at the knee on the ensuing play, and afterwards Gaines is widely criticized by the town for keeping Miles in. Gaines intends to bench Miles in the waning minutes, but keeps him in after third-stringer Chris Comer is unprepared to go in. In the season opener against the Marshall Bulldogs, the Permian Panthers make the game a blowout. The players frequently party as they deal with the pressures of Odessa's expectations. Fullback Don Billingsley struggles with his ball handling and is abused by his alcoholic father Charles, who won a state championship with Permian. The quarterback, Mike Winchell, runs under the expectation of handing off the ball to Miles on most plays. 3 Differences between the film and eventsĪs preseason practice begins for the Permian High School football team in August 1988, the town of Odessa, Texas has high expectations for the players and their coach Gary Gaines to win a state championship with their star running back James "Boobie" Miles.