Against historical background of 1968, Andrew Nubreed comes of age as a football player and family member. When the high school coach favors a less talented player at quarterback and chooses Andrew to play wide receiver because Coach knows he will not be recruited for college scholarship as a black quarterback, Andrew quits the team. Without discipline and direction provided by football, he favors friendships that glorify street culture. The death of a close friend and his motheras stroke force Andrew to fight his alter-ego, Drew, to regain discipline, guidance and direction during his senior year of high school. He is reunited with the football team and his family as Lester High wins the Memphis City Championship with Andrew at quarterback.