<P> In the season opener against the Marshall Bulldogs, the Permian Panthers make the game a blowout . Gaines intends to bench Miles in the waning minutes, but keeps him in after third - stringer Chris Comer is unprepared to go in . Miles tears his ACL after being tackled at the knee, and afterwards Gaines is widely criticized by the town for keeping Miles in . In the next game during the start of district play, Permian gets blown out as Winchell struggles with consistency in his increased role and the second - string running back gets hurt . Comer goes in, but avoids contact, and discussion arises about Gaines losing his job . However, the Panthers start winning again as Winchell and Comer improve, and safety Brian Chavez and linebacker Ivory Christian emerge as defensive standouts . </P> <P> 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. backing him up . Permian plays its final district game against Midland Lee, with first place and a playoff spot on the line . The Panthers fall behind, and Gaines puts Miles in out of desperation, but Miles is soon injured again . Winchell leads a comeback drive, but Permian loses as his final pass flies over the receiver's hands . After the game, Billingsley fights with his drunk father, who throws his state championship ring onto the side of the freeway . The next morning, Don reveals to his father that he recovered the championship ring and gives it back to him . 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 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 . Permian and Lee win the toss, and as the Panthers prepare for the playoffs, Miles clears his locker . While in his uncle's car, he cries about his future in football becoming bleak . </P> <P> Permian is successful in the playoffs, but all eyes are on the state powerhouse Dallas Carter High School . Permian and Carter make it to the state championship game, which is held at the Astrodome due to the schools' different demographics . Miles rejoins the team and watches from the sidelines as the Panthers head into the game . They are initially overwhelmed by Carter's superior size and fall behind, but mount a comeback in the second half to pull within one score . The defense improves its tackling, and the offense pushes through despite injuries . After a defensive stop, Winchell, Comer, and Billingsley mount a final drive, but Comer and Billingsley are injured . Billingsley goes back in, and holds onto the ball for a big run, but it is called back for a holding penalty . On fourth down, Winchell is stopped just short of the goal line as the clock runs out, and Carter wins the championship . </P> <P> Afterwards, Gaines removes the outgoing seniors from his depth chart, and it is revealed that Winchell, Billingsley, Miles, and Chavez went on to have successful lives after their football careers ended, with only Christian receiving a Division I scholarship . The movie ends with the statement that Gaines and Comer led Permian to an undefeated state championship season the following year . </P>

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