Halfway through this film, I remarked to my boyfriend that I found it interesting that they had chosen such a “typical” story to make into a movie. The Permian Panthers are trying to make it to state and therefore live up to the expectations an entire town has resting on their shoulders. Their story isn’t much different from any high school football team around today – the movie doesn’t go for the usual sports cliches until the very end when they are definitely portrayed as the small town underdogs versus the big bad city team. Instead, it focuses on the people who play the game. My favorite thing about the movie was how it portrayed the pressure these teenagers are put under, not just for the trophy and title, but as a way to change their lives, determine their futures, earn their parents’ respect.