A searing commentary on the "win at all costs" mentality of American high school sports. David Lee Birdsong is the smalltown quarterback hoping to escape with a college scholarship and a pro career. David's father is the overbearing taskmaster vicariously living through his son. The third side of the triangle is Coach Marshall, a hypercritical and cruel man who sees David as the key to his future success. David's lockstep commitment to his father and coach is altered when he witnesses a teammate die after a grueling practice.

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Ben Johnson
Dwayne Birdsong

Gary Busey
David Lee Birdsong

Larry Hagman
Coach Marshall

William Lucking
Dennis Birdsong

David Doyle
Mr. Schmidt
MS
Mimi Saffian
Mary Louise Schmidt

Peggy Rea
Mrs. Birdsong

Craig Richard Nelson
Michael Braun

Michael Talbott
Bubba Montgomery