High school All-American Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. Fifteen years have gone by since those glory days; and Neely has come to Messina to bury Coach Eddy Rake; the man who molded the Spartans into an unbeatable football dynasty. As Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers waiting for the dimming field lights to signal his passing; they replay the old games; relive the old glories; and try to decide once and for all whether they love Eddie Rake - or hate him. For Neely Crenshaw; who struggles to come to terms with his explosive relationship with the Coach; his dreams of a great career in the NFL; and the choices he made as a young man; the stakes are especially high.