A true story, based on the novel by H.G. Bissinger follows the 1988 Odessa Permian High School football team as they pursue the state championship. Wow! I mean WOW! It just worked on so many levels. Even the shaky camera lent itself to helping to tell the story of a very fractured, dysfunctional town that lives for football. Haven't we all known at least one person whose life seemed to hang by that very string known as sports? Haven't we all encountered a crazed parent intent on living out unrealized dreams through their star athlete? Friday will definitely take you on an emotional roller coaster ride and it's well worth it.

We first meet Coach Gaines (Billy) and the team at the beginning of pre-season. Everybody has advice for Gaines and the local big shots make it clear that the coach's job is on the line because this town is about football and football only. But, Gaines doesn't feel any pressure compared to his players: Mike Winchell (Lucas) the unsure quarterback who has to take care of his mentally unstable mother who is just stable enough to push for a scholarship for her boy; James Boobie" Miles (Derek) who has great plans for turning pro and no plans for studying; Brian Chavez (Jay), the only one who shows academic promise, but still wants nothing more than to be perfect on the field; and Don Billingsley (Garrett) whose absent mother leaves him with only his abusive father Charles (Tim) and debilitating self-doubt as companions. These boys are practically crushed under everyone's expectations, yet they persevere and along with the rest of the players learn to support each other and shut out all life's garbage that surrounds them.

Also, check out Tim McGraw's performance. Acting may never be his forte, but he did a nice job considering the fact that he is not an actor, but rather a famous, as well as my favorite country singer. Yes! I love Country music!

Don't miss this movie. Every school athlete, parent, teacher, counselor, heck just most everybody should see this movie. There is just so much there there.

"How are you doing in your classes, Boobie?"
"Classes? There's only one class - football."