A newcomer coach Eric Taylor finds himself helming a promising high school football team, the Dillon Panthers, that has a real chance to make it to the top.

The Panther's fate is hung up on the result of a game between two other teams and there is nothing they can do about it.Meanwhile, there is tension at the Street's house because of the lawsuit they introduced against Coach Taylor.Matt's father has a hard time adjusting back to real life.

The Panthers have only one more game to win in order to qualify for the play-offs. Smash's mother discovers something that could end his football dreams.

The Panthers prepare for their first playoff game.Coach Taylor gets distracted as he has to come up with a solution to Smash's use of drugs. Tyra and Julie befriend while Riggins bonds with his alienated father.Buddy learns about Jason and Lyla's engagement.

Lyla makes a surprise visit to the quad rugby camp where Jason is playing at, but she doesn't find the comfort she came looking for.Buddy Garrity's affair with Tyra's mother comes out. Consequently, Buddy decides to move in with the Taylors.Smash becomes suspicious about Waverly when she goes for a midnight swim with him.

Coach Taylor buckles under the pressure from Texas Methodist University. The news of his decision is not taken lightly by his family.

Riggins faces the impending consequences of his relationship. Landry wonders whether he should tell someone about Tyra's situation.

The rumors about Coach Taylor leaving the team at the end of the season get a boost when an inside source decides to speak up.

Meanwhile, the Panthers are preparing themselves for the state championship.