EXT. VIETNAM AIR BASE - TARMAC - NIGHT - 1969
CHAOS. Airplanes burn on the rain-slicked tarmac. Explosions
light the sky.
Alarms blare. Soldiers scatter amid flames.
RICHARD WITEKOPOLOWSKI (27), Elvis-like in uniform, clutches
a blue comb. Blood streaks his face as he sprints forward. A
small American flag flaps in his belt.
An explosion rocks the ground. Debris flies. Richard stumbles
but surges on. Faint voices creep in, growing louder.
PLAYER 1 (O.S.)
Make the call, Oaf! Stashik! Make…
Another plane ignites. Richard staggers. Yells overlap.
An explosion detonates in front of him.
RICHARD
Stash...ik..
The blast throws him forward.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. CHERRYVILLE HIGH FOOTBALL FIELD - NIGHT - RAIN
The explosion becomes the snap of the football.
TEENAGER ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
The game of the year folks! Ten
seconds...and the Oaf’s under fire!
Crowd ROARS through sheets of rain.
SCOREBOARD: 21–21, :08 left. 4th Qtr.
CLOSE ON: STASHIK’S WATERY EYES
Stashik lisps in moments of nervousness and stress.
STASHIK
I can do thith.
A RUNNING BACK barrels toward Stashik, seconds ticking.
STASHIK'S MUDDY FACE - SLOW MOTION
Rain streaks the mud on his face.
The RB's legs churn-mud blurs. Stashik dives. CRUNCH! The RB
powers through, flattening him. The ball crosses the goal.
The home crowd groans.
TEENAGER ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
That’s it folks. Visitors steal it
at the gun!
CHERRYVILLE SIDELINE
COACH MEYERS, throws his clipboard. Opponents celebrate.
FIELD LEVEL
Stashik lies in mud, face down, eyeing BETSY’s fading cheer
as cleats pound past him.
BETSY
If you can’t do it no one can.
CHERRYVILLE SIDELINE
Betsy in a retro 1950s cheerleader outfit, fades her cheer
through the chaos. A "1950's Retro Dance Week" poster flaps.
STADIUM SEATING
COACH WAYNE HALL (40’s), cowboy hat soaked, pops a pill,
tosses his notebook on the wet bleacher, and walks off.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Aw, for Christs sake.
Notebook pages flutter, “Stashik Witek” scrawled inside.
FIELD LEVEL
Stashik, lifts his head, looks into the lights.
Scoreboard: Cherryville 21 Visitors 27, lights pop and die.
Stashik”s face falls to the field. A player runs up.
PLAYER
What the hell ya mumbling Oaf!
STASHIK
I..I tried.
PLAYER
You’ll be buried like your father,
messing up like that!
Stashik jolts up. They shove. A REFEREE forces them apart.
TEENAGER ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Whoa, folks—things gettin' ugly out
there! Fists flyin'!
REFEREE
Cool it. Ain’t no bringing the dead
back now!
A Cherryville banner whips in the background.
EXT. FOOTBALL PARKING LOT - NIGHT - DRIZZLE
Fans trudge to their cars, grumbling.
GRANDPA leans on his rusty 1959 Del Rio, cigar glowing under
the drizzle as he watches the scuffle on the field.
TEENAGER ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Well folks, another Cherryville
dream got buried in the mud.
Smoke from the cigar curls up into the drizzle and lights.
Genres:
["War","Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
After the Whistle: A Moment of Reflection
INT. CHERRYVILLE H.S. LOCKER ROOM – NIGHT
Showers hiss in the back. Players slump on benches, peeling
off wet pads.
At his locker, Stashik stares at a taped, worn photo: Richard
in uniform, blue comb in hand, standing with a younger
Grandpa beside a cargo plane, jaw clenched around a cigar.
PLAYER
Call got lost in the mud again?
STASHIK
If I had another thot. Coach Croft.
Coach Croft storms down the aisle, picking up helmets.
COACH CROFT
Ya had your shot. Clear out! I got
vet classes tonight. Ice that
bruise Stash.
He stops in front of Stashik, hand out.
Stashik reluctantly surrenders his cracked, mud-caked helmet.
Coach Meyers appears behind Croft.
COACH MEYERS
Your heart’s in it, but... refine
another year. Be bigger than this
town. Stay with us and you’ll get
this back.
Players erupt, pounding lockers. Benches rattle.
COACH MEYERS / PLAYERS
We’re in it to win it!
The players bounce, chanting, spitting adrenaline.
Stashik stays frozen, staring straight ahead. All that noise
just presses in, heavy as the loss.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Facing Fears in the Rain
EXT. CHERRYVILLE FOOTBALL STADIUM - END ZONE - NIGHT - RAIN
Stashik stands alone, staring at the drenched American flag
whipping above the goalposts. A steeple in the distance.
The Del Rio’s headlights blink behind. Grandpa waits.
EXT. 1959 DEL RIO - MUDDY HILL - NIGHT - RAIN
Headlights slice through rain, illuminating foliage.
INT. 1959 DEL RIO - NIGHT - RAIN
Grandpa glances at Stashik in the rearview, slumping in back.
GRANDPA
Ya looked alive out there. Plowed
that runner like your dad. (pause)
We oughta get new chicks. Fresh
meat’ll build ya muskles up.
Stashik grunts. Grandpa passes a mason jar of red liquid.
GRANDPA
Your dad’s cherry soda brew. Tart
as sin...could fetch a penny.
FLASHBACK - BUBBLE POP FARM - CHERRY ORCHARD - 1920’s
Young Grandpa drops a schoolbook in mud, snatches a whiskey
bottle. He gulps as rain pours.
GRANDPA (O.S.)
I ditched school too. Grabbed a
bottle instead. Don’t be that fool.
BACK TO PRESENT - DEL RIO
GRANDPA (CONT'D)
High school will be one of the two
best things in your life.
Stashik swirls the jar. He takes a sip--ugh.
STASHIK
Tastes like cow piss, Gramps.
GRANDPA
Get in Auburn, fix it, make a name--
they’ll buy it. Heard that hotshot
Wayne Hall, fightin' off boosters
like Lowder, scoutin' unknowns.
Grandpa looks at an uninterested Stashik in the rear view.
GRANDPA
(pause) Should give ya hope.
STASHIK
Dad wanted me playin', didn’t he?
GRANDPA
Damn right. Ball’s your ticket
outta this mud. But it’ll break ya
'fore it makes ya.
STASHIK
Farms way safer. The calls..they
come out all wrong. Thith lisp.
GRANDPA
Fix that too. Rocko’s eyeing the
farm dirt. Says I owe him from the
bootleg days. Bet the farm..
Stashik climbs awkwardly into the front seat.
GRANDPA
..he’d snatch it if I croak. But
you. You’ll rise kid. Face the
fear. Play ball or lose it all.
Rain slams the windshield. The Del Rio swerves.
STASHIK
Left side Grandpa! Careful!
Stashik GRIPS the seat. Slight panic erases his lisp.
Grandpa chuckles, straightens the wheel just in time,
ignoring a faded "No License Required" sticker on the dash.
GRANDPA
Keep hittin'. Somethin’ll stick.
The wagon disappears in the rain.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Reflections in the Rain
EXT. CHERRYVILLE CEMETERY - NIGHT - DRIZZLE
The Del Rio stops amid looming gravestones. A gate creaks. A
weathered cross gleams in headlights.
INT. 1959 DEL RIO WAGON - NIGHT - RAIN
Grandpa’s gnarled hand twists the key off.
Stash’s eyes flick to the keys, then the shadowy cemetery.
GRANDPA
The second best thing in life?
Stashik looks at Grandpa. Grandpa near tears.
GRANDPA
Ask that pretty foster girl out.
STASHIK
Flunked my driver tetht too.
They share a tired laugh.
INT. CHERRYVILLE CEMETERY - NIGHT
Winds swirl leaves past gravestones to a bird-poo-stained
headstone: "Richard Witekopolowski".
Stashik kneels, scrapes poo off the engraved American flag.
His hand slips on wet stone, smearing stars.
The smearing stars blend into a worn American flag waving on-
FLASHBACK: BUBBLE POP FARM - CHERRY ORCHARD - 1969
Richard combs his Elvis hair with the blue comb, ruffles
young Stash’s (8) head, hands him a tiny football.
RICHARD
Never give up.
Radio CRACKLES: “Vietnam losses rise” Richard’s smile fades.
BACK TO CEMETERY
Stashik, still wiping the headstone. Then he is aware.
STASHIK
Bird poo on the stone, gramps.
Gramps is behind in the shadows.
GRANDPA
It’ll wash off. You wanna be
somebody? What are you gonna do to
make yourself great?
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Doodles and Dreams at Cherryville
EXT/INT. CHERRYVILLE BURGER JOINT - PARKING LOT - NIGHT
Neon hums over the packed parking lot. The ’59 Del Rio idles
as Grandpa waits behind the wheel.
Inside, a post-game celebration buzzes. A retro poster reads:
“1950s DANCE WEEK.” Betsy sits across from Stash in a booth.
She doodles a cherry logo on a napkin and slides it to him.
A waitress drops a milkshake. A tiny diamond ring glints on
her hand; Betsy catches it, swallows a quiet ache.
BETSY
This could be a logo for it.
Stashik eyes the logo beside the cherry pop jar.
BETSY
Gutsy move sneaking to my foster
house so late. Askin’ Miss Clara
for a date with me. You’re brave.
A teenage waiter rushes past.
TEENAGER WAITER
Oaf stumbled outta the pig pen.
But, but, he was slippery.
Betsy shoots him a death glare and turns back to Stashik.
BETSY
Think ya not good enough?
STASHIK
Feels like it thometimeth.
She sketches something quickly—a goofy doodle of him milking
a cow—and nudges it toward him. He touches the napkin, shy.
BETSY
Hear ya milk cows at four a.m.
STASHIK
I’m thir-sty so it works for me and
the cow. Makes me feel like Rocky.
BETSY
Ain’t never seen it.
Silence, she fidgets.
BETSY
I’m scared too. Cheering all I got.
STASHIK
I ain’t never been on a date.
He whispers it. She laughs. He laughs. Their nervousness
meets in the middle.
Betsy slides him the cherry-soda jar again.
BETSY
Tastes like grit. Play one more
year. Let’s grow old together. Make
it official someday.
He freezes at her touch. Eyes flick to the rain-streaked
American flag decal on the window.
STASHIK
Nothing lasts forever Betsy.
BETSY
Not even the good stuff?
He stares at the jar. Their hands slip apart.
STASHIK
Not even the good thuff.
A beat of sadness—then both laugh at the word.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Echoes of the Past
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - NIGHT
The Del Rio’s headlights fade down the long drive.
Stashik trudges toward the farmhouse, muttering:
STASHIK
Not even the good thuff. Play..
STASHIK
..another year! Bethy. Betsy.
Stashik chuckling then stops, grabbing his head.
STASHIK
Betsy. Betsy. Betsy. No. No. No.
He stops at the sagging mailbox: WITEK barely hanging,
OPOLOWSKI dangling.
He kicks a rock—CLANG— A tiny, mud-caked child’s football
rolls into view.
Etched on it: “To Stashik, Christmas 1972. Love, Eddie.”
He stares at it.
EXT. CHERRYVILLE FOSTER HOME – NIGHT
The Del Rio idles beneath a streetlight. Betsy steps out.
GRANDPA
Sorry I had to drop Stash off to
check on the cow. Miss Clara won’t
mind you bein’ late.
Betsy nods, waves. Grandpa pulls away into the mist.
BETSY
Tell Stashik I love him, okay?
EXT. DEL RIO – SIDE MIRROR – CONTINUOUS
In the mirror, Grandpa’s eyes glisten with a tear.
EXT. CHERRYVILLE FOSTER HOME – CONTINUOUS
MISS CLARA opens the door. Betsy smiles, gives a shy curtsy.
Genres:
["Drama","Coming-of-age","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Desperation Under the Moonlight
EXT. GOAT BARN - NIGHT
Moonlight cuts through. Cornstalks sway. Chicks scatter.
Stashik, with scuffed football in hand, trudges by.
BESSIE, the pregnant cow, lumbers up, licking his arm.
STASHIK
You and me, girl. Always us. I
don’t know what to do anymore.
Her bell jingles as she walks away.
He stares past her at the barn and farm, then throws the
football into the dark.
A loud CRASH from inside the barn. Stashik freezes.
INT. GOAT BARN - NIGHT
CHAOS. A goat thrashes violently, knocking tools everywhere.
ROCKO (55), gaunt, hollow-eyed, grips the animal in a
desperate hold.
ROCKO
Grab the rope, Stash!
Stashik stops, horrified.
STASHIK
Rocko? What are you doin’ on our
farm?
Rocko’s eyes flick with shame.
ROCKO
Hunger don’t wait.
The goat bucks—slams him into a beam. He rebounds like a
feral animal.
ROCKO
You helpin’ or you gawkin’?
STASHIK
Rocko… that’s Nelly. She’s ours.
Rocko pins the goat with his legs.
A surrender. He pulls a knife.
ROCKO
(soft) I know.
SWOOSH — the goat goes still.
Blood spatters the straw.
Stashik staggers back. He stumbles out—
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Labor Pains and Family Strains
EXT. GOAT BARN - NIGHT
He stumbles into the open air, shaking, spinning.
Grandpa rushes up, fear already in his eyes.
STASHIK
That animal’s on the farm?
Grandpa freezes, knowing exactly what happened.
GRANDPA
Rocko?
He shoves iodine at Stashik.
GRANDPA
Bessie’s goin’ into labor—MOVE!
Grandpa surges into the barn, grabbing a board on the way in.
INT. BIRTHING STALL - CONTINUOUS
Bessie moans as the calf crowns. Stashik, arms bloody,
assists, breathing hard.
Camera drifts past him to—
Grandpa sitting on a bucket. AUNT HELEN, dressed in her
makeshift nun’s outfit, quietly wraps a bandage around his
head. Fresh blood blooms through the gauze.
Grandpa’s eyes stare through everything—cow, calf,
Stashik—like he’s watching his own ghost.
The calf SLIDES free with a wet pop. The only sounds:
Bessie’s low moan, the clink of iodine, Stashik’s breath.
LYDIA (mom), DORIS ( 15, autistic sister), and EDDIE (21,
brother) watch from the rails like mourners at a funeral.
Eddie trembles. Doris clutches her pencil and paper.
Stash wipes his hands with a towel Eddie offers
Stashik looks, at the calf, the silence of everyone. The sad
faces, landing on Doris, standing stiff, in silence.
STASHIK
Almost had him Eddie. He slipped
through my hands and scored.
EDDIE
My excuse was shakes stole my
shot—Doc called it nerves, Gramps
called it weak. Your’s is almost.
Eddie smirks.
Doris approaches, touches Stash’s bruise softly, then
scurries away.
Grandpa takes a swig from a bottle. Aunt Helen walks off.
GRANDPA
Quittin’ gonna stick ya in the mud.
STASHIK
Ain’t quittin. Why be in school
longer if I can graduate early?
Lydia grabs a cow belt off the wall. Stashik nervous.
LYDIA
You’re not quitting in the eleventh
grade. No one likes shoveling
shit. You gonna shovel til ya like
gramps?
Grandpa sips. Doris stares. Lydia smacks him with the belt.
STASHIK
I like it. I’ll fix the farm.
Eddie chuckles. Stashik’s face hardens.
LYDIA
This is the same argue since your
father passed. You are going to
school and that’s it. Damn it!
She storms toward the door. Aunt Helen steps in front of her.
AUNT HELEN
Lydia, maybe he needs this farm.
Richard always believed in him.
LYDIA
Aunt Helen. Is it necessary to wear
that damn costume all day?
GRANDPA
Ya not a Nun, Helen. Ya a barmaid.
AUNT HELEN
It’s all I got left of who I was.
Your dad never quit. Don’t ya dare.
The newborn calf trots past, farting. Lydia exits.
EDDIE
Stash. Ya always screwing up.
Making mom think of dad again.
Stashik stands quietly, unsure.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Legacy of Hope
EXT./INT. LYDIA’S FARM COTTAGE - NIGHT
A chicken scurries across the yard, darts out of view.
Inside, Lydia kneels by a hope chest, pulling out a wedding
dress. She clutches it.
Stashik peeks in, hesitant. He watches her.
STASHIK
I named the calf Bubbles.
He steps in. Lydia in tears, sets the dress down.
LYDIA
Your grandpa and father used to
take care of this farm. Now neither
of them does anything. One’s dead,
the other, drinking Holy Ghost.
Stash’s steps closer, pauses.
She runs her fingers over an American Flag in the hope chest.
STASHIK
Ma. That flag killed him.
LYDIA
Don’t ya dare speak like that. He
died for it. Be proud of what that
flag stands for. Your father was. I
worry about you. Today ya birthing
calves, tomorrow mucking stalls and
God knows what next.
STASHIK
Ith time I let football go.
LYDIA
I don’t know. We see you on that
field, playing. It’s like ya
belong there an ya want to quit.
STASHIK
I work harder than everyone and get
nuttin’ from it but two plays.
Stashik clenches his fists.
LYDIA
Maybe God has big plans for you and
you’re not seeing it.
STASHIK
Mom. Everything going to be ok.
I’ll do the beth I can. I’ll fix
the farm and your cottage. You
always thay do what God says and it
leads ya where ya gotta go.
Lydia hands him the folded flag.
LYDIA
Put this over his grave. Promise.
Don’t give up on football. Please!
I want you have a better life.
STASHIK
I won’t give up. Never.
Silence. They hug. Stashik’s eyes land on the flag.
MONTAGE – CHERRYVILLE (1982–1988)
— A tattered American flag waves atop Cherryville High.
— Cherry blossoms fall… years turn… blossoms return.
— 1982 GRADUATION: Stashik (awkward cap), Betsy cheering;
Lydia crying; Eddie trembling; Doris silent; Grandpa
grumbling; Aunt Helen praying.
— FERRIS WHEEL, 1984: Stashik slips his ’82 grad ring onto
Betsy’s finger at the top of the wheel.
— BARN, 1985: An Amish midwife hands newborn RITCHIE to
Betsy; Stashik stares, overwhelmed.
— RADIO: “Cherryville wins the ’85 championship!”
— DEL RIO, 1988: He drives past the Cherryville field; the
faint echo of players yelling trails behind him.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Morning Struggles and Family Bonds
EXT. PIG FARM – DAWN – RAIN – 1988
A storm hammers a miserable pig pen. Pigs wallow, shit, re-
eat it. Wet workers slog through gray muck.
Stashik, ankle-deep in filth, shovels slop. A baby
rattle—“RITCHIE (3)”—hangs from his pocket.
A puppy, LOLLIPOP, yaps around his boots.
WORKER
Stash. Put that slop there for the
nasty animals and keep the puppy.
Stashik heaves slop into a trough. Pigs jostle.
STASHIK
What about the hog manure?
WORKER
Dump it in the shit pit. Then pick
up the hospital garbage tonight.
Pigs’ll want breakfast tomorrow.
A magazine slips from Stashik’s pocket, splashing into muck:
“AUBURN’S LETHAL COACH DEFIES BOOSTERS.”
He stares at the cover— kicks it deeper into mud. Thunder.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM – CLOTHESLINE – SUNRISE
An old radio crackles on a stump.
Little RITCHIE (3) chases Lollipop through wet grass.
RADIO (V.O.)
It’s a new day in Cherryville.
Expected temperatures in the—
BETSY hangs laundry in the soft orange glow. A church bell
tolls—far off. She pauses. Looks toward the church
steeple. Something flickers inside her. A wanting.
But she swallows it, returning to the damp clothesline.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - APPLE ORCHARD - MORNING
Sunlight catches the apple blossoms like fire as Stashik
teeters on a ladder, eyeing branches.
Below him, Grandpa—emaciated now—leans on a cane, coughing
into a stained handkerchief.
GRANDPA
Rocko used to plow these fields
fore’ the bottle plowed him. Don’t
let him win it.
STASHIK
Betsy been through too much like
me. Farm slippin to him’d kill her.
Grandpa sniffs the air.
GRANDPA
You reek of pig manure from here.
STASHIK
Betsy’s fed up with the smell
too. Plus she got the baby to
wrangle. Get Elam to put rosemary
oil on the trees—kills the mites.
GRANDPA
C’mon. Got something to show ya.
Don’t look at me like that. Weight
loss is normal at my age.
Stashik steps down—slips—CRACKS to the ground.
GRANDPA
Atta’ boy. They ain’t callin you
Oaf forever with grit like that.
They laugh, arms over each others shoulders.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Legacy of the Bel Air
INT. BUBBLE POP BARN - DAY
A shaft of dust-glittered sunlight cuts across stacked hay.
Grandpa yanks a tarp—revealing a faded, red, 1954 BEL AIR.
GRANDPA
Got her in ‘54. (Emotional) Never
got a chance to take Anna in it.
Didn’t have the heart to drive it
without her. Cleaning it since.
He holds out the keys.
Stashik freezes. Takes them. Hugs Grandpa—tight.
STASHIK
I love you grandpa. Tho much.
Grandpa shifts, uneasy with affection.
Stashik runs his hand over the hood— Slides into the driver’s
seat. He sees something—freezes.
A BLUE COMB sits on the passenger seat.
STASHIK
You found it.
GRANDPA
(choked up) Forgot where I put it
when they mailed his tags.
Stashik combs his hair. Catches Grandpa’s gaunt, trembling
reflection in the rearview.
STASHIK
Thith comb..ith like dad’s..
Grandpa steadies himself against the fender.
GRANDPA
Ya’ll need that pig job to get her
runnin’. Maybe take Betsy to the
movies. Get married for real. Get
her a diamond. A little one. She’s
yearning for it. Needs stability.
Stashik wipes a stray tear before it falls.
STASHIK
Someday gramps. Someday.
Stashik grips the wheel with new resolve.
STASHIK
Gramps.(beat) If I had given it
everything. Could I..could I have
been thomebody?
Grandpa freezes. The question goes through him.
GRANDPA
I’d stake this dirt ya could. Light
a fire under your ass if I had too.
But trying might cost everythin’.
Don’t forget where ya are now.
Stashik absorbs that. His eyes fall to a blood smear on
Grandpa’s rag.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
The Conditional Challenge
INT. LYDIA’S COTTAGE - KITCHEN - EVENING
A retro table holds a mason jar of Bubble Pop Cherry Soda.
Lydia slams the phone. Stash, Betsy, and Eddie look up.
LYDIA
Rocko’s at the diner runnin’ his
filthy mouth, says your grandpa’s
coughin’ blood and leavin’ the farm
to him. Calhoun, that true?
A folksy LAWYER CALHOUN(60’s, suspenders) sits at the table.
COUNTRY LAWYER CALHOUN
Not if Stashik plays football.
LYDIA
That’s madness. Stash’s slaved
on that farm for years. Ain’t that
enough?
COUNTRY LAWYER CALHOUN
This will is with a conditional
bequest in a trust-legal when
witnessed. Ya got one year to play
or Rocko gets the farm.
STASHIK
Grandpa said he’d bet the farm.
Didn’t think he meant for real.
BETSY
After the Bel Air, I’d believe.
Calhoun puts papers before Lydia.
COUNTRY LAWYER CALHOUN
Gramps wanted ya prepped, no
surprises.
Lydia reads the papers, distressed.
STASHIK
Auburn ain’t gonna take a lithpy
farm hand.
EDDIE
If we lose this farm cause you’re
chasing glory, who’s left mucking
stalls? Me with my shakes?
Lydia slams the papers on the table, distraught.
BETSY
I’ll help you fight this. Sell more
soda. Buy time.
COUNTRY LAWYER CALHOUN
Rocko will turn your farm to
developers before ya blink.
Stashik touches the papers, a decision forming.
STASHIK
I can do thith.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - FIELD - EVENING
Mist hangs low as Stashik, drenched in sweat, charges hay
bales—CRUNCH, tackling them into the mud.
From the brush, Rocko watches. Silent. Hungry.
STASHIK
I still got it.
Betsy, holding Ritchie, watches from afar. Hopeful, scared.
Lydia storms over.
LYDIA
You’ll break your neck! We’ll talk
with Rocko. Ya chasin’ madness?
Betsy’s throat tightens.
Stashik squares himself, panting as the faint..
..voice of a fight announcer from Rocky rises in his head…
…and the golden hour dissolves into a rising moon.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Fighting Fears
EXT. CHERRYVILLE 1950’S DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATRE - NIGHT
The 1954 Bel-Air sits under the giant screen. ROCKY (1976)
Creed is beating on Rocky.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Holy cow! What is keeping him up?
INTERCUT - DRIVE-IN SCREEN / BEL AIR INTERIOR
A Sheepskin warms Ritchie and Lollipop in the back seat.
Up front, Betsy grasps Stash's hand. Rocky knocks down Creed.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
I don’t believe it! Creed is down!
Stashik squeezes her hand. She layers her hand atop.
A gold cross hangs around her neck. Tears form in Betsy's
eye. They see Apollo beating Rocky.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
A hard left. A right. Another left
right into the face!
They grip hands tighter, faces in awe.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER(O.S.)
Rocky is coming back!
Betsy, glances at Ritchie in back, then at Stashik.
STASHIK
(voice crackling) I don’t want
Ritchie to grow thinkin’ I was
afraid twice.
Betsy stunned, shaking, can’t look at him.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Apollo unloading on Rocky!
They stare at the screen. Mickey tends Rocky's broken nose.
MICKEY (ON SCREEN)
Don't let that bastard breathe.
Betsy, shocked, crosses herself through tears. Her fingers
clench around the gold cross. She stares ahead, tears flow.
Stashik grips the Bible Wayne gave him.
BETSY
If you go, I’m alone Stash.
He looks at her. She smiles breathlessly. Love deep.
On screen, Rocky overpowers Creed, starting the epic war.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Balboa is tagging the champion.
Stashik leans forward, entranced.
Betsy watches him—too long—then turns away, clutching her
cross. Through the windshield, Rocky tags Creed's face.
FIGHT ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
...ohhh right on the kisser!
The bell rings. Haunting. Betsy’s breath trembles, eyes wide.
On screen, the ref separates Rocky & Creed. Bell trails off.
Drifting into the front window of the Bel Air are the riveted
and shocked faces of Betsy & Stashik. She whispers tearfully.
BETSY
You are good enough.
Betsy's heart breaks. Stashik tears up. He looks at the Bible
in his lap, cross on front. Then, slowly, he looks at her.
STASHIK
You gonna miss me?
BETSY
No. Just go. Don’t say anything.
Betsy cries, devastated. The Rocky ballad trails off as the
1982 graduation ring on her finger glints.
The Bel Air sits in the perfect spot.
On screen: Rocky and Creed collapse into each other. Their
battered silhouettes dissolve into—
A giant American flag.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A Final Farewell
EXT/INT. GRANDPA'S SHACK - MORNING - GREY CLOUDS
A ragged American Flag waves on Grandpa’s porch. A car radio
crackles, Stashik pulls up in the Bel Air, blue comb in hand.
He turns off the car, exits, eyeing empty booze bottles.
STASHIK
Gramps! Took Betsy to see Rocky.
Inside the shack, whiskey bottles litter the floor, revealing
Grandpa. A final bottle, "Holy Ghost", clutched in his hand.
Bel Air keys jangle. Stashik stands frozen.
Grandpa points to a wooden cross above the bed: scripted with
VERITAS VOS LIBERABIT.
GRANDPA
I always wanted to learn Latin.
See what that means. Ya gimme that.
Stashik kneels.
STASHIK
The truth shall thet you free.
Grandpa grips his hands-hard-voice breaking.
GRANDPA
I…Drank my way outta dreams. Like
Rocko. (beat, tears) I love
you. Take care of Betsy. Don’t
worry ’bout me. Gonna see Anna.
His head slumps. A note slips from his hand: “Hapy Aniversry,
Love Anna.”
Stashik kisses his forehead.
He leans back, arms wide, as if in prayer— then SCREAMS.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Burial at Dawn
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM – DAWN
The horizon cracks open with the first blade of sunlight,
spilling molten gold across the cherry orchard.
Mist lifts off the fields in slow, swirling ribbons.
A lone hawk glides overhead, its wings cutting slow arcs
across the brightening sky.
Cherry blossoms drift down through the quiet— weightless —
until one lands on a shovel stuck upright in fresh dirt.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - GRANDPA’S BARN - DAWN
Two silhouettes shovel as the sun rises behind them.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Stashik digs harder—furious, almost punishing the ground.
Eddie tries to keep pace, but his tremors betray him.
EDDIE
Ya can’t bury him here. It’s not
right. Slow down this isn’t
football practice.
Stashik hits the dirt harder. CRACK. A pipe beneath. Mud
splashes Eddie.
STASHIK
Ain’t goin’ to no funeral.
Eddie drops his shovel, hands trembling uncontrollably.
Above, hangs a new sign: BUBBLE POP SODA POP.
EDDIE
There’s no way to make it. We have
to find another way with Rocko.
Stashik wipes dirt from his face and opens the barn doors.
STASHIK
I made a mistake. I ain’t done.
Eddie stares at Stashik, as he makes the sign of the cross,
and enters. Eddie follows.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Chasing Regrets
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - PATH - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Eddie and Stashik carry tools down the muddy path.
EDDIE
Footballs dead Stash. Gramps is
dead. Ya got Betsy an a baby
instead of a fat bearded beast.
Hell we named a calf after you-oaf
junior, and ya thinkin’ football.
STASHIK
Don’t you ever think what if? What
if you had another chance for
bigger football? To be thomebody.
EDDIE
I was never a nobody trying to be a
thomebody. That’s you. Ya wasn’t
good enough.
Stashik stops, looks defiantly, then softens. He breaks down.
STASHIK
I know. I know. But I love the
Thmell of the grath, Eddie.
They stand near each other. No hug—but close to one.
Lydia appears, dragging a cow.
LYDIA
Ya boys see if ya can get more milk
from her. I gotta go uptown.
She s frantic.
LYDIA
Rocko says he’s not backin’ down.
Only a damn drunk fool drinks Holy
Ghost and bets a farm on football.
She hands the rope to Eddie— His shaking hands drop it.
The cow bolts.
Stashik sprints after her.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Farm Tensions and Triumphs
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - FRUIT SHACK - DAY
A weathered fruit stand sits beside a 1956 blue Chevy truck.
INT. BUBBLE POP BARN - FRUIT SHACK - CONTINUOUS
BETSY arranges jars of BUBBLE POP, graduation ring glints.
RITCHIE (3) plays with baby ducks in a cut watermelon full of
water, wheezing softly into a tube connected to a canister.
BETSY
Lydia picked blackberries this
morning.
A rugged hand grasps berries. Coach Hall stands there, cowboy
hat, steel eyes. Quiet force.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Perfect.
He notices the canister. Betsy slides him a murky red jar.
BETSY
Try this too, mister? Prototype
cherry pop—Stash's family recipe.
Less acid now, more grit. It's our
backup if the farm slips away.
Wayne eyes it skeptically, sips—winces, nods.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Hell, that's fire. I’ll take two.
A commotion outside. Wayne turns just in time to see.
EXT. bubble pop farm - FRUIT SHACK - continuous
Dust clouds reveal Stashik tackling Bubbles. Stashik shakes
his fist triumphantly. Eddie runs up.
EDDIE
I quit my life to work the farm
with you and you been training.
STASHIK
Am I good or what? Ya believe now?
EDDIE
Nope. But damn that was good.
A flicker of brotherly pride passes between them.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Confronting Fear
INT. BUBBLE POP FARM - FRUIT SHACK - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Wayne's eyes narrow on Stashik, intrigued.
COACH WAYNE HALL
That’s a darn good hit on that cow.
BETSY
That’s Bubbles. She always runs
away from milking time. The puppy
is Lollipop and that’s Ritchie.
That canister helps his allergies.
Ritchie wheezes. Ducks splash.
COACH WAYNE HALL
How much I owe ya?
Betsy startles at the force of Wayne’s southern drawl.
BETSY
One-fifty mister.
COACH WAYNE HALL
I’d say that’s a good price for..
COACH WAYNE HALL
..these kind of berries and soda.
Keep the change.
He tips his hat. Ritchie beams.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - FRUIT SHACK - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Wayne steps into the sunlight.
Stashik and Eddie steady Bubbles nearby. Wayne approaches.
COACH WAYNE HALL
How old are you, son?
Stashik looks nervous. Eddie fidgets.
EDDIE
Twenty eight. Twenty nine.
Somewhere in between.
Wayne points at Stashik.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Him.
STASHIK
I can’t even count that high.
Wayne smirks, walks to his pristine 1956 Chevy 3100 Truck.
Stashik calls after him.
STASHIK
That’s a beautiful ‘56 Chevy.
Wayne retrieves an old leather Bible from the seat.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You’re pretty good with numbers.
This might help ya.
Wayne offers it, gold cross on the front.
STASHIK
I don’t read anymore. My wife doth.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Fair enough. But there’s some
pretty good stuff in this book.
STASHIK
We God fearing people here mither.
Their eyes lock.
COACH WAYNE HALL
After what I saw with that cow.
Not sure ya fear anything. Do ya?
"Do ya" cuts harshly. Stashik's eyes well, face in fear.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Might want to take a look and see
what the Bible says about fear.
Betsy appears with Ritchie. Eddie holds Bubbles. They watch.
BETSY
Mister. You left your keys.
Wayne checks his pocket, grins as Ritchie fumbles the keys.
Wayne kneels to Ritchie. He looks softly at Ritchie,
retrieves the keys.
BETSY
Ritchie. Come on.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Much obliged young man. G’day
ma’am.
Wayne stands, moves to his truck door.
Stashik steps forward—raw and emotional.
STASHIK
I know who you are.
Wayne’s hand stops inches from the door handle. He stares at
the reflection of Stashik in the truck window.
STASHIK
Thometimeth I’d be afraid if I got
hit that I’d get hurt really bad or
killed. Ith violent in the middle.
Betsy gasps. Eddie stiffens.
Wayne eyes are frozen ahead as he ponders the door.
Stashik takes another step.
STASHIK
I didn’t give it my all. I felt I
let my team down and it’s been
eaten at me since.
In the reflection—Wayne sees Stashik behind him, church
steeple rising in the background like judgment.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Ya walked away from your team.
We’re looking for boys that’ll
bleed for a win.
Stash, tears, looks toward Betsy, looking at him sorrowfully.
Wayne Hall enters the truck and drives away.
Betsy, Ritchie, Eddie, and Bubbles drift toward Stashik.
They watch the Chevy truck disappear down the dirt path.
A long beat aching beat. Eddie looks at Stashik.
EDDIE
Fear’s a son of a bitch. Took stuff
from me I’ll never get back. Don’t
be like me.
Stashik stares at Eddie. Eddie manages a small grin.
INT/EXT. 1956 MINT BLUE CHEVY TRUCK - CONTINUOUS
Wayne drives, eyes flickering to the rearview.
Reflected there: Stashik, Betsy, Eddie, Rithcie, and Bubbles
watching him.
RADIO (O.S.)
Boosters under fire at Auburn..
The truck kicks up dust and disappears between cherry fields.
EXT. FRUIT SHACK - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Stashik watches the dust fade. He grips the Bible. The
crucifix glints in the last streak of suns rays.
STASHIK
That man ith wrong about me. I
didn’t quit. I didn’t.
BETSY
I know. I know.
She links her arm through his. They walk off. Eddie, Ritchie,
and Bubbles behind them— the distant church steeple staring.
Sunset bleeds into the field.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Tensions and Tenderness at Bubble Pop Farm
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - ROCKO’S BARN - DAY
Rocko rips a rotten board off the roof—
Inside: two baby birds huddled in a nest.
He raises the hammer.
From below—
STASHIK
Rocko! No!
Rocko stares at the tiny birds—haunted, hollow.
Then, surprisingly tender, he replaces the board, tapping the
nails gently. A final nail slips, clattering off the roof.
ROCKO
Gramps thought you’d be a star.
Poured his whiskey soaked heart
into you but you’re just a washed
up oaf who choked in high school.
STASHIK
This farms ours, Rocko. Bethy and
me-we bled for it. You walked away.
Rocko swigs from a flask, eyes the orchards longingly.
ROCKO
Bled? I plowed this dirt when you
were in diapers and gramps drank
with me. I’m da good guy. Got
screwed outta my life. Ma giving
this dirt to gramps. Ya don’t
deserve this. I do. And I ain’t
losing this. Pay or play.
STASHIK
The dirts ours! I’ll break before I
give up.
ROCKO
You? Against SEC beasts? You’ll run
cryin’ to your cows like always.
Guess that Bible ain’t helping now.
STASHIK
It doesn’t have to end like this
Rocko. We both chasing ghosts.
ROCKO
This farms my last play like Nell’s
last play was dinner. Fight or get
eaten. Clock’s a ticking. No pity.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - HILL OUTSIDE SHACK - AFTERNOON
Golden light bathes the hill. Stashik and Betsy lie on a
picnic blanket. They stir awake, sit up. Looking.
Nearby, Ritchie chases three baby ducks, giggling, his wheeze
faint but joyful. Lollipop bounces around him.
Stashik rises, reaches a hand down. She takes his hand.
He leads her a few steps. She gasps.
Two cherry trees curve into a perfect, natural
archway— blossoms drifting like wedding confetti.
They step under it. Sun halos their faces.
A long, full kiss— like sealing a wordless vow. The camera
drifts outward. Ritchie sits below them.
Blossoms swirl— becoming autumn leaves blown across—
LIGHTFOOT'S MUSIC
If you could read my mind love.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Game Day Anticipation
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - DEL RIO - MORNING
Leaves scatter across the ridge as the Del Rio hums along.
Stashik stares forward— determined.
EXT. ALABAMA HIGHWAY - FARM FIELDS - DAY
A weathered WELCOME TO ALABAMA sign. Old trucks. Cotton. Hot!
A towering BO JACKSON billboard catches Stashik’s eye.
LIGHTFOOT'S MUSIC
..the hero would be me.
An Auburn sign points right. Campers with AU flags roar past.
EXT. TOOMER’S CORNER - STREET- DAY
Crowds surge beneath the oaks and concrete A.U. pillars.
Police whistle traffic through. The Del Rio creeps forward.
EXT. AUBURN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - DAY
Mascots, cheerleaders, tailgaters— a tidal wave of orange and
blue streaming through campus.
THE TIGER WALK
Players stride down the 200-yard gauntlet. Fans scream inches
from them. Stash stands among the thousands— watching the
team vanish into the tunnel.
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - TUNNEL - DAY
The roar is nuclear. Auburn players EXPLODE out through
smoke. Band blaring. Cheerleaders flipping.
AUBURN SIDELINE - GOLF CART - DAY
Wayne and Coach Dye ride in a golf cart along the sideline.
COACH PAT DYE
Wayne. Boosters like Lowder want
stars, I want stars, but we’re
thin. We need better walk-ons to
sharpen first team. The unsung
heroes of more wins. That’s what
it’s about. Wins.
Mascots tumble in the background.
COACH WAYNE HALL
We got a bunch of pansies for
scrubs that have hurt first
team effort. I’ll destroy em’ all
to make this team better.
The cart stops. Players riled, swarm Wayne as he exits.
COACH PAT DYE
Good luck. Win it and we’re bowl
bound.
Dye drives off as the crowd does the WAVE.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Auburn Dreams and Traditions
EXT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY
Stashik hovers by the gates. A loudspeaker blares.
LOUD SPEAKER
War eagle! Fly! There’s the
kickoff!
Stashik sees students haul fencing to the lower level.
LOWER LEVEL OF STADIUM
MAD-DOG 32, an Auburn diehard, spots Stashik.
MADDOG
Hey! Grab that fence. I’ll get ya a
student pass.
Stashik hesitates.
MAD-DOG
You deaf? Gate’s closing!
Mad-Dog closes the gate. Stashik runs up, fence in hand.
MAD-DOG
Take that fence to the player
tunnel over there and wait. Don’t
go through the tunnel!
Stashik salutes casually, hurries with the fence to...
INT. LOWER LEVEL - THE PLAYER TUNNEL
Stashik pauses at the tunnel, staring at the field beyond. He
steps onto the red carpet lining the way.
INT. JORDAN HARE STADIUM - DAY - CONTINUOUS
Stashik emerges from the tunnel, witnessing an Auburn
receiver catch and smashed down in the end zone.
The crowd erupts. The cheerleaders go ballistic.
BACK IN PLAYER TUNNEL
Mad-Dog grips Stashik's shoulder, steering him back.
MAD-DOG
Well isn’t that just cute. You
wanna be part of the red carpet.
You haven’t earned it. I earned it.
Bama born and Auburn bred. Got it?
STASHIK
Sorry. I wath dreaming.
MAD-DOG
Dreams don’t move fence. Move!
STASHIK
Ain’t a dream good temptation?
MAD-DOG
No. Not good. You’re not walking on
here. Ya moving fence.
(MORE)
MAD-DOG (CONT'D)
Walk-on’s are cannon fodder. Gates
that way. Go! Out!
STASHIK
Got it. Thorry bout’ the carpet.
Stashik eyes the field one last time.
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - EVENING
An arm fires a football downfield.
An Auburn receiver catches it, breaks free!
EXT. TOOMER’S CORNER - NIGHT
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Touchdown! Auburn!
Fans hurl toilet paper over oaks.
Stashik weaves through the fans, past a couple with a baby.
The "A.U." Pillar looms across the street.
Oaks sway as a sunrise glows over campus.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Determined to Prove Himself
EXT/INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - DAY
The Del Rio wagon parks. Stashik enters the building.
He eyes a BO JACKSON uniform encased with a baseball bat:
SECRETARY watches Stashik from the landing-cheerleaders near.
SECRETARY
Careful. Floors wet. Don’t want you
hurt before the next game.
STASHIK
I’m gonna try out for the team.
Stashik goes downstairs. Brenda grabs the phone on her desk.
SECRETARY
You can’t go down there unless
you’re enrolled.
LOWER LEVEL
Stashik eyes the glass doors. A sharp whistle startles him.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Fail the whistle drill and ya cut.
Gotta get out of the gate.
STASHIK
Coach Wayne Hall.
Wayne blows his whistle again and walks.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You knew that a while back. Cut the
bull. Why’a standing there?
Stashik hurries after him, pulling a football magazine.
STASHIK
They say you’re the meanest.
Wayne snatches it. His image on the cover, headline "LETHAL."
COACH WAYNE HALL
Who reads this shit?
STASHIK
If ith true I’d like a tryout.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Heard that before.
He keeps walking.
STASHIK
I’m ready to prove you wrong.
COACH WAYNE HALL
SEC will eat you alive with that
stutter, old man.
STASHIK
Maybe they eat me alive… but I bite
back.
Wayne, eyes him, then walks down steps into the..
TRAINING ROOM
Weights clank. Trainers stretch players.
Wayne strides through — Secretary hustles in with a folder.
SECRETARY
Coach, the Tuskegee report.
Wayne snatches it, flipping the first page. CLANK! Looks up.
Across the room, Stashik grips a 90-lb plate — easily.
Players exchange looks..
COACH WAYNE HALL
Best go home, save yourself time.
Wayne twirls his whistle, and exits.
Stashik drops the weights and hurries after him.
PRACTICE FIELD - HOT SUN - CLOUDS INCOMING
Whistles shriek. Scouts drill athletes in shorts and pads.
Coach Hall strides across the field, scanning.
CONCRETE LANDING - PRACTICE FACILITY
HIRAM, (382 lbs.), heaves a medicine ball, glaring as Stashik
sprints past, chasing Wayne.
STASHIK
I’ll do whatever you athk! Ask!
PRACTICE FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Wayne ignores him, twirling his whistle. Stashik catches up.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Did you not read that book? How can
you expect to walk on the team if
ya can’t read? You gotta be smart
in football.
STASHIK
I’ll do better. So help me God!
COACH WAYNE HALL
Real players will have already
dropped and given me twenty.
Stashik drops, grunts pushups. Wayne kneels. Rain starting.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You want to walk on to this team?
This is the toughest conference in
college football. There are a lot
of collisions on this level that
aren’t pretty. There is no pay. No
help. No scholarship. No favors.
Ya’ll be a meat bag for first team.
And there’s zero chance you play.
Stashik strains through pushups.
STASHIK
How about inthurance if I get hurt?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Run. Run like your life depended on
it and you won’t need insurance.
Stashik jumps up, determined. Wayne stands slowly.
STASHIK
I’ll be back. After they admit me.
COACH WAYNE HALL
How in the hell are you coming to
see me and you ain’t ready? Out!
Tension. Stashik turns. Hiram smirks. Suddenly.
COACH JACOBS
Out of the way. Ed King’s coming.
ED KING bumps Stashik aside. He stumbles, regains footing.
STASHIK
I’m coming back in the spring!
Ready to hit. You hear me!
Wayne frowns at Stashik's defiance. Two players collide.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Good hit. Next. On the whistle!
Wayne whistles and players collide.
Stashik's stands tall, soaked. Whistles fade.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Paths to Possibility
INT. STASHIK'S BARN - NIGHT
Betsy struggles attaching Ritchie’s canister while balancing
a corded phone. Her graduation ring catches the light.
STASHIK (O.S.)
The graduation ring is fine Betsy.
Yea. I’ll be home as soon as he
puts the water pump in.
INT/EXT. JOE’S AUTO SHOP - AUBURN ALABAMA - NIGHT
Faded paint, flickering neon: “Joe’s Auto Repair.”
Stashik sits on a worn couch, fingering the rattle, phone to
his ear. A wilting flower pokes through a cracked window.
STASHIK
I gotta take tehts..tests to get in
‘cause of my age. Mechanic’s
coming. I’ll call back. Me too!
He hangs up.
JOE, grizzled, 60’s, approaches from the Del Rio.
JOE
Wagon’s patched, few more bolts.
What’s an old hog like you doin
wantin’ back in school? Stay here.
Twist wrenches with us.
STASHIK
I got a donkey that needs a thot.
Joe shrugs. RUSTY, Auburn staffer enters, overhears, nods.
RUSTY DEAN
Tough tests to get in Auburn. I’m
Rusty Dean. I work there. Since you
are older with a lisp. There’s the
Kennedy act. Streamlines entry
under disability rules.
STASHIK
Really? No age limit?
RUSTY DEAN
1980’s NCAA’s got flexibility. No
strict age cap for walk-ons if
you’ve never been to college and
enroll full time. You could
qualify. Prove everyone wrong.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Inspiration and Intimidation on Campus
EXT. AUBURN UNIVERSITY - FOOD SCIENCE BUILDING - SPRING - DAY
Blooms burst across campus. Stashik, with books, steps out.
Another student points Stashik across the campus.
INSTRUCTOR (O.S.)
There are many chemical reactions
that cause a bee to go to a flower.
EXT. AUBURN UNIVERSITY - QUAD CENTER - CONTINUOUS
Stashik weaves through rowdy students around an INSTRUCTOR.
INSTRUCTOR
We have a special guest to discuss
the Birmingham Riots. From his
hometown of Bessemer, Bo Jackson.
Stashik watches as students rush Bo for autographs.
BO JACKSON
Bessemer had me fight. Birmingham
riots showed me heart. Auburn’s
where I turned it into greatness.
Stashik, inspired—until THREE FOOTBALLERS (SHEA, cocky,
Hiram, smirking—and BENNIE, ghetto-rock muscle) encroach.
RICHARD SHEA
Isn’t that the Lambert wannabe walk-
on who signed up for tryouts?
Hiram hands Bennie a Walkman.
HIRAM
You’re a veteran here Shea. You can
take those walk ons easily. Hey
Bennie. Weird Al Yanky. “Beat It.”
BENNIE
Hiro, scared he’ll snag your lunch
spot.(Sings) Beat it! Cool walk-on.
HIRAM
It’s a Walkman dumbass.
BENNIE
I know that Hiro! I’m dealing
with Weird Al so ease up or I’ll
pork ya in practice. Beat it.
RICHARD SHEA
Looks like he’s chasing ghosts.
Stashik stiffens. Walks off as Bennie yells.
BENNIE
Gear up! I’ll tinker on your skull
like every walk on.
Wayne Hall passes unseen, noticing Bennie pumped with music.
BENNIE
Eat it! Eat it! Chicken and pie.
HIRAM
Time to go. Gotta sign our bodies
away to science now.
BENNIE
They be using those damn breasts of
yours for science is embarrassing.
Damn what a song! Love the walk-on.
Bennie gives the Walkman to Hiram with a friendly head butt.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Locker Room Hazing
INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Players bustle as MIKE hands out gear from a caged room.
Stashik waits for height-weight checks.
Across the room Shea bullies a walk-on.
Hiram cuts in front of Stash, squeezing his chest mockingly.
HIRAM
Hey. Hey. Hey. Dad’s legacy lives.
COACH DANIELS
Fat Albert. Six-two, three-eighty.
Lose fifty.
Hiram steps off.
Daniel’s eyes Stashik.
COACH DANIELS
Hustle Pops. Bit old for the SEC
ain’t ya. Against the wall.
Players echo “Pops”. Bennie grins.
Stashik stands for measurements.. Whistles echo outside.
COACH DANIELS
Six-two. Next! File to the trainer.
Players chant. Daniels snaps.
COACH DANIELS
Hiro! Half pads! Knock it off.
HIRAM
Yea! Half effort, day one!
Stashik approaches Mike at the cage. Shea cuts him off.
SHEA
Outta the way walk-on. Mike. Strap.
Mike hands Shea a chin strap, plunks Stashik’s helmet down.
STASHIK
Thankth. Lithp. Lisp.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE
Smart using that to get in school.
Stashik holds Mike’s gaze, nervousness in his expression.
STASHIK
Car broke down leaving town. God
got involved.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE
Don’t mess it up. Your chance. This
is the Harvard of the South now.
Mike slams more gear down. Stashik takes it.
COACH WAYNE HALL (O.S.)
Life. What is your life going to
look like after the football field!
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Determination in the Rain
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - PRACTICE FIELD - DAY - DRIZZLE
A SPRING PRACTICE banner flaps.
Wayne Hall roars as Players line up.
COACH WAYNE HALL
What drives you! What makes you
want to be great!
Players roar and smash in head on drills.
#76 and #78 are drawing attention-power vs. power.
#76 gets slammed down.
#76 jumps off the ground and over powers #78 to the ground.
WATCH TOWER
Coach Hall and Coach Dye study the field. Rain thickens.
COACH DYE
Which one is that?
Wayne whistles. Players get into formation.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You. Come here.
FIELD LEVEL
#76 rises, steps forward, beneath the watch tower. A visor
flare hides his face.
#78, Shea, steps nearby.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Who are you?
#76 removes his helmet. Wayne huffs. Rain gets harder.
STASHIK
You know who I am.
COACH WAYNE HALL
What are you doing here?
STASHIK
I’m here to take someone’s spot.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You let this walk on beat you Shea?
#78, Shea shrugs, shamefully.
COACH PAT DYE
God, why test us with nobodies?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Let’s see if he breaks against
Blake. Blake, ya in. Dallas Drill.
369-lb BLAKE, stomps forward.
COACH DANIELS
Five yards, no more. Or you’ll
break ya neck. Get to it.
Rain intensifies. Stashik and Blake line up.
WHISTLE.
They collide. Stashik holds ground-SLAM! Blake cheap shots
him flat.
Dye walks off, chuckling.
Wayne flashes surprise, then hardens and roars.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Everyone gets a chance! But we
can’t give everyone chances!
The players roar.
Daniel’s steps over Stashik.
COACH DANIELS
Good, but get off your adrenaline
high. Shea has turf toe and your
mental state is shite. Ya did
nothing.
STASHIK
Him! Three hundred fifty pounds.
Blake wrecks another player in the background.
COACH DANIELS
Sounds like you want to hit Barbie
dolls.
STASHIK
I’m worried about my neck.
COACH DANIELS
Then focus on football if you want
to stay here. You know any plays?
Any calls? No you don’t. Your
head’s filled with gobble not game
film.
Daniels yanks him upright, adjusts his stance.
A trainer walks up behind Daniels to give him a football.
COACH DANIELS
Don’t bother me right now! You have
to pull it together and train like
you want to win. Square your
shoulders and get those teeth
knocked out. Got it?
STASHIK
Be fearless. Got ya coach!
Daniels walks away, blows the whistle. Rain pounds the field.
Player's collide. Hiram levels someone.
Stashik watches, puts on his helmet, charges onto the field.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Pressure in the Locker Room
INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - LOCKER ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Players slump on benches, peeling off gear, some surrendering
their gear to Mike.
Stashik, battered, stares at his cracked helmet.
HIRAM
First weeks hell Pops. You’re the
worst out there-still here though.
Tougher than I figured.
BENNIE
Think you tough keepin’ up?
Bennie limps in from the ice room. Stashik nurses bruises.
STASHIK
Tryin’ to thave my farm.
BENNIE
I was you once. Popped my knee
senior year, lost my offer. Clawed
my way back to this. (taps All-
American patch) One slip, and I’m
back to nothin. You get it?
STASHIK
Ain’t slipping yet.
BENNIE
Better not. I’ll bury ya if ya do.
Bennie walks out, glance lingers.
COACH JACOBS
Rosters tight. Step up or out.
STASHIK
I’ll get quicker. You’ll thee.
COACH JACOBS
You too Hiro! Be better!
Jacob’s walks off as a player motions to him. Hiram leans in.
HIRAM
That’s your warning from Jacob’s.
He’s the AD someday. Get in Hall’s
ear and you are outta here. Those
guys look in every corner for the
next great. You’re not it. They
won’t just cut ya. They’ll axe
you’re future.
Hiram exits.
Stashik glances at his reflection in a mirror.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Tension on the Tarmac
EXT. LOCAL AIRPORT - TARMAC - EVENING
Wayne exits a police car, strides to a small plane.
A car screeches up.
BOBBY LOWDER
Coach! Coach!
COACH WAYNE HALL
No need to worry about walk-on’s
taking a scholarship’s PT Lowder.
Not a one can handle the hits.
BOBBY LOWDER
Keep your eye on the Tuskegee kid.
The pilot motions for Wayne. He stops at the steps.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Tuskegee’s in an hour. Lowder! He’s
raw. But he ain’t scared. Reminds
me of my nobody days.
BOBBY LOWDER
Call me Bob. As the head of the
Boosters, I gotta say it.
COACH WAYNE HALL
I know. Protocol. All the shit
other than football.
BOBBY LOWDER
Future’s secured with victories
Wayne. My legacy’s on this program
and your job’s on the line.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Teams my call. I’ll update ya on
the new recruit.
BOBBY LOWDER
Best land him. Oh. Steelers keep
asking for you and Daniel’s.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Bob. My home is here in Auburn.
There is no other place for me.
They lock eyes. Lowder smiles thinly.
Wayne boards the plane.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
Fractured Aspirations
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - GRANDPA’S BARN - DAY
A smashed "Bubble Pop Soda Pop" sign, "ROCKO" carved into it.
Betsy steps over shattered jars. She spots a lone jar.
BETSY
He won’t sour us.
She takes a sip. Ugh!
INT. PHONE BOOTH – DAY – RAIN
Stashik dials.
Ringing. The line clicks dead.
He lowers the receiver. Rain pounds the glass.
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX – PRACTICE FIELD – DAY – RAIN
WHAM! A brutal scrimmage. Mud explodes as bodies collide.
Stashik takes a handoff — immediately crushed by two
linebackers. Ball squirts loose.
A player scoops it, sprints — but BAM —
Stashik, half-broken, throws himself into a head-on tackle.
FREEZE FRAME on the impact—
INT. FILM ROOM – NIGHT
—the SAME HIT flickers on a projector screen.
Coach Daniels points at the frozen image.
COACH DANIELS
That’s effort. Stash’s tackle, not
Hiro’s. You found a good grinder
for scout team.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Won’t save him from rule books.
Lowder’s pushing for an age audit
to cut.
Wayne, arms crossed, studies the frame a moment too long.
COACH DANIELS
Insurance shit with Lowder too.
He’s got all angles monied with
cuts.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Christ. More cuts? Just as we’re
getting finances in order.
Wayne’s points out the blunder on screen.
COACH WAYNE HALL
That mistakes not gonna win games.
This isn’t Sunday School here.
COACH DANIELS
You said it yourself about those
kids at the bottom of the roster?
If you give up on them, they’ll
give up on themselves.
Daniels, frustrated. Wayne, shifting uncomfortably.
COACH WAYNE HALL
That was different than this. We
have a lot of great players. Why
take on a project screwing up?
COACH DANIELS
He’s got something I haven’t seen
since Kaptain Krunch rolled through
Auburn. Heart! Goodnight Coach.
Daniel’s exits and Wayne yells out as the projector hums.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Heart ain’t the only thing winning
games. I learned that the hard way.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Facing Fears and Family Pressures
INT. AUBURN UNIVERSITY - RECORDS OFFICE - DAY
A clerk flips through a file, mumbling .
CLERK
..blah blah. He’s never been to
college. He qualifies Coach.
The clerk’s happy but Wayne is gone, door slamming.
EXT/INT. COACH WAYNE HALL’S OFFICE - DAY
Camera creeps up on his office door and name plaque.
Inside, Wayne is looking at film. His side flaring. A knock.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Who the hell is bothering me now?
Stashik steps in, forehead bruised.
STASHIK
Daniel said you wanted to thee me.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Don’t get any ideas. You’re slow.
But ya don’t quit. Saw it with the
cow. This game breaks ya. Why you
still with us?
Stashik’s lisp fades as he speaks from the heart.
STASHIK
I want #58. But I’m scared I’ll
break my neck out there. More
scared of failin’.
Wayne nods, stares, a flicker of respect.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Fear tells you, you ain’t enough.
The bible says different. Read it.
Now get outta’ here.
INT. 1959 DEL RIO STATION WAGON - NIGHT
Stashik, battered, slumps in the back, flashlight on “Fear
Not” in Wayne’s bible. He closes it.
He unfolds a letter.
LYDIA’S VOICE
Ritchie’s asthma’s worse Stash. And
Rocko’s talking how the farms his
if you don’t get in a game by
turkey day.
The sounds of pads crashing bleed into..
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Tackles and Trials
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - WATCH TOWER - DAY
Wayne and Dye eye practice below. Stashik lines up as RB.
COACH PAT DYE
Ya could cut him, but?
COACH WAYNE HALL
He’s a body in the tool box. No
favors. Just meat. Now lets crank
the music an max em’ out.
Wayne, flips a switch on the radio. Queensryche blares!
PRACTICE FIELD - LOUDSPEAKER
QUEENSRŸCHE MUSIC
...your dream is over or has it
just begun..
Music electrifies the team. The ball is snapped.
Stashik takes a handoff, gets swallowed in a gang tackle.
Coaches cringe. Players turn away.
Slowly, Stashik rises, wobbly, ball in hand.
Daniel’s grins.
Players murmur. Then cheer.
WATCH TOWER
Wayne stiffens as players chant.
Dye sees it, impressed.
PLAYERS
Go! Go! Go!
Wayne blows his whistle, gripping his side.
Stashik raises the football.
Wayne’s eyes lock on Stashik. He knows he has a problem.
Stashik tosses the ball.
PRACTICE FIELD
Players scramble for the ball as Wayne and Dye rush down the
watch tower in the background.
Whistles. Stashik scoops the loose ball.
Bennie crushes Stashik with a hit so vicious, players stop,
terrified, as Stashik slams to the ground.
He’s motionless, staring above, whispering “help me”.
QUEENSRŸCHE MUSIC
..help me. If you open your mind..
Trainers rush Stashik.
Bennie prances like a prize fighter.
Players watch as Stashik is helped up and eerily moved to a
bench.
Then, walk-on players erupt in applause as Stashik raises the
football defiantly, his finger, bent.
Stashik shares a smile with Hiram.
A trainer twists Stashik’s finger into place.
Wayne and Dye watch, shaken.
COACH PAT DYE
Damn if they didn’t churn like
machines with that music.
COACH DANIELS
Computers and now music. Ya brought
us into the twentieth century.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Let’s say God intervened on music.
COACH DANIEL’S
Reckon he’ll make it to A-Day?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Next!
Whistles blow. Wayne sinks to his knee hiding pain.
DOCTOR (O.S.)
Surgery now Wayne. Gallbladder..
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Urgency in the Operating Room
INT. BIRMINGHAM HOSPITAL - NIGHT
Chaos. A gurney rushes Wayne toward an OR corridor. He’s on a
cel phone, unfazed.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Bob. Plane’s clutch, thanks.
A NURSE rushes to Wayne with a needle. Jab.
COACH WAYNE HALL
(On cel) Daniels, Wayne here. Get
tape on Meeks. Cowboys want him.
SURGEON
No meetings post op Coach. Rest.
Wayne's gaze softens, a flicker of vulnerability.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Gotta be there. (Into phone)Coach.
Ankle? Who can replace Shea? Yea.
DOCTOR
Nurse. Set up for a hepatobiliary
imilodiacetic acid scan. Wayne.
Eddie Blake could fill in.
Wayne acknowledges and they push him into the OR.
SURGEON
Few more moments, Wayne. Your team
needs you more than the reaper.
INT. OPERATING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Drowsy, Wayne slurs into his phone. Surgeon signals silence.
COACH WAYNE HALL
(to surgeon)Blake. Big kid. Good
replacement pick.(on phone) What?
Faking another injury? For Christ’s
sake. (to doctors) Let’s do this.
I’ve stuff to doooo..
Oxygen mask goes on. Surgical lights on Wayne's prone figure.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Embracing Shadows
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARMS - HILL - NIGHT
A moonlit clothesline with tiny clothes sways in the wind.
Betsy on her knees, sobbing.
BETSY
God. Please. I don’t want to get
pregnant, no more suffering.
A neat. Betsy feels something, looks up,
Stashik stands beside her.
The wind blows through the clothes revealing the moon.
EXT/INT. STASHIK’S BARN - NIGHT
Leaves swirl past the moonlit Del Rio.
Inside, Stashik holds Betsy from behind. She’s still sobbing.
BETSY
I’m sorry for saying that. I like
that we’re married.
STASHIK
I still see dad in that coffin. I
failed him Betsy.
A moment between them as Betsy turns, slowly, and removes his
neck brace. She touches his bruised body. He winces.
BETSY
You’re hurt.
STASHIK
What are we gonna do? My body ain’t
listening anymore. I gave it
everything. Juth like before and
nothing.
Betsy pulls him close. Their embrace holds everything.
BETSY
(emotional) You have to win or all
this is over. The farm, the pop.
Our home. We’ll have nothing.
A metal canister rolls. They turn. Ritchie, wobbly, stands
near the canister.
Stahsik stares, walks slowly toward Ritchie and stops.
Ritchie stares then rushes into Stashik’s arms.
RITCHIE
Papa.
Stashik hugs him tight.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
Negotiations and Determination
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - DAY
Cheerleaders exit, giggling. Stashik approaches, focused.
INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - LOWER LEVEL - VIDEO ROOM - DAY
Stashik raps on a hidden door. Mad-Dog answers. Film and
video equipment behind him.
MAD-DOG
What do you want?
STASHIK
I need help studying film plays and
learn how to make calls.
MAD-DOG
Why should I help when you can’t
follow the rules?
STASHIK
I got Halls ear.
Mad-Dog scrutinizes him and steps aside.
INT. FOOD SCIENCE ROOM - DAY
The professor enters, with a beaker of red fluid.
PROFESSOR
Promising, Witek. Less sugar
equals more appeal. Tweak it.
Stash, bruised, nods from a corner, back to work.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Tensions on the Field
INT. COACH WAYNE HALL’S OFFICE - DAY
Wayne, hand over his Gallbladder area, speaks into the phone.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Pain makes a man mean. I’ve got a
football team to run, Housel.
Wayne hangs up, frustrated, makes the sign of the cross, then
swings his chair around toward Coach Jacobs.
COACH WAYNE HALL
What now?
COACH JACOBS
Fried chicken place wants a few
words from you in exchange for a
donation to the program.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You know that I’ll do that. I love
fried chicken. But Doc’s orders. No
grease for a month.
Jacobs sighs. The intercom crackles.
BRENDA VOICE
Coach Dye needs you on the field!
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - WATCH TOWER - CONTINUOUS
Wayne steps beside Dye, leaning on the the railing. Sweat
trickling down his temple. Dye points to the practice below.
PRACTICE FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Stash, pushes through the pile.
WATCH TOWER - CONTINUOUS
COACH PAT DYE
You never know where the next hero
is going to come from Wayne. Move
him to scout linebacker.
Wayne stares blankly.
PRACTICE FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Stashik SMASHES through a linebacker.
Coaches and a REPORTER stop and look.
Stashik’s face-pain and wild triumph.
Daniels enters frame and looks concerned.
Wayne enters frame of the downed player. He sees the ALL-
AMERICAN patch on the player’s sleeve.
Walk-on’s chant fiercely as Stashik roars.
REPORTER
Coach Hall. What’s your take on a
walk-on beating an All-American?
CAMERA FLASH captures the image. School newspaper spins
“ALL-AMERICAN SMOKED BY WALK-ON”
Int. Coach wayNE HALL'S OFFICE - mini tv
Cowboy boots rest on a desk. Wayne, peers over the paper.
COACH WAYNE HALL (ON TV)
The press has blown this out of
proportion. He was going full speed
and we were half speed. Nobody
beats All-Americans.
He shuts the TV off, presses the ice pack, steps to window.
EXT. PRACTICE FIELD-COACH HALLS OFFICE WINDOW - DAY
Below, Stashik looks at him, raises one finger, #1.
Wayne steps away from the window.
Genres:
["Sports Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
A Night of Recognition and Negotiation
EXT/INT. MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA - LA FONTAINE BLEU - NIGHT
Applause bathes the glowing skyline.
EMCEE( O.S.)
Wayne Hall folks, top defensive
coach in all of college football.
Inside, Wayne steps off the stage with his award. His WIFE
joins him.
EXT. LA FONTAINE BLEU
Wayne’s truck is parked under a tree. He ushers his wife into
the passenger side.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Give me a minute darling.
Wayne closes the door. And steps to Dan Rooney.
COACH WAYNE HALL
My condolences on your father’s
passing last year.
Rooney nods.
DAN ROONEY
Mistakes get expensive at the next
level. Can Emmitt withstand NFL D’s
year round if we draft him?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Dangerous player that can win your
season. Unstoppable, fast.
DAN ROONEY
You’ve tracked players since they
were in diapers. Even a file on an
unknown walk-on is making waves. Is
he worth an irrelevant last pick?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Not sure he’ll survive A-Day cuts
but he can take a beating.
Rooney nods to a man that brings over a very large book.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Make that to woman’s basketball.
Rooney smiles and nods to the man whom opens the checkbook.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Cuts and Celebrations
INT. JORDAN HARE STADIUM - COACHES BOX - EVENING
The empty stadium looms below, goal posts cast shadows.
Wayne grips a playbook, staring. Daniels enters with papers.
DANIELS
Lowder’s breathing fire again.
Talking cuts in funding if our
scrubs are used over scholarships.
Wayne slams the playbook down.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Christ. Screw the boosters. We’ll
run this our way.(takes papers)
This the best of the worse?
Daniels nods, passes his papers labeled A-Day cuts.
INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - LOCKER ROOM - day
Players gear up. Hiram steps into frame. Shea smacks him
with a towell.
Bennie exits the ice room, throwing a look at Stashik.
The players laughter echoes. Suddenly the door swings open.
Wayne strides in, roster in hand.
Silence envelopes the room.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Months up. Cuts had to be made.
The locker room bursts with Happy Birthday.
Everyone celebrates, except Wayne.
Waynes wife enters with a cake. Wayne tries to get to the
board but players block his way.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Thats enough. Step out of the way.
The players get quiet and part. Wayne pins the paper to the
board. He takes a moment before turning.
He eyes his wife serving the cake.
COACH WAYNE HALL
A-Day tells us who wants to play in
front of eighty thousand. Enjoy the
cake. Tomorrow the real work
starts! (a threat with a smile)
He walks past the players and then stops, thinking. He looks
at the players worried faces. Wayne feels something.
He takes a piece of cake from his wife, takes a bite.
The players roar and he exits.
Bennie is first to the list.
BENNIE
I’m in and you’re out.
Stashik freezes as Bennie bumps past.
Players wait as Stashik slowly approaches the list and stops.
Fear hits Stashik.
Players rush the list. Stashik walks away.
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - PRACTICE FIELD - RAIN - CONTINUOUS
Stashik kneels, helmet off. The rain mingles with tears.
He mumbles a Bible verse while forming the sign of the cross.
Stashik finishes his prayer, fists clenched.
He stands.
Stashik beats his chest.
STASHIK
I am somebody!
He roars to the sky.
Wayne disappears from the window above.
Genres:
["Sports Drama","Character Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
A-Day Tensions Rise
EXT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - A-DAY GAME - DAY
A banner reads “A-Day.”
PLAYERS (O.S.)
Three. Four. Five.
INT. JORDAN HARE STADIUM - CONTINUOUS
Players do jumping jacks at midfield.
Local media swarms.
12,800 football fans are rowdy.
SIDELINE
Stashik jogs in, beating his chest pad, joining Shea, Hiram.
HIRAM
Don’t choke out there. Show 'em Fat
Albert's got a brother!"
Stashik nods.
Fans snap photos, seek autographs.
Stashik spots Mad-Dog photographing with Joy.
Bennie signs autographs. A child and woman hug Bennie.
Stashik softens seeing it. He adjusts his helmet, nervously.
Scouts with clipboards take notes.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Scouts against first team. Now!
Stashik’s neck snaps toward Wayne, nodding him in.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Welcome to Auburn’s spring inter
squad game.
Players charge onto the field.
TUNNEL AREA - CONTINUOUS
Cheerleaders soar into the air as the crowd erupts.
FIELD LEVEL
Scout team is lined up against first team for kickoff.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
And here comes the kick off.
A FOOT STRIKES the ball off the tee.
Auburn’s sideline coaches shout.
Stashik tackles the runner out of bounds near Wayne and
Lowder. Hiram runs up, pumps his fist.
HIRAM
Hell yea pops!
Stashik rises, fists clenched.
Bennie gives a nod.
BOBBY LOWDER
I admire his effort Wayne but my
investors won’t like this.
Wayne nods, scribbling on his clipboard. Daniel’s shouts.
DANIELS
Good wallop Stash! Stay sharp!
FIELD LEVEL
The offense resets, no huddle.
Stashik lines up on defense, confused.
The (QB) fakes a handoff, eyes darting left.
Stashik hesitates, fear grips him as he’s blocked downfield.
QB rolls right, lobbing a pass. A RECEIVER snags it, TD.
Wayne slams his clipboard, ripping off his headphones.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Facing Fear
INT. COACH DANIEL’S OFFICE - EVENING
Film flickers. On screen: Stashik hesitating, driven back.
COACH DANIELS
There! Fear freezes you.
Wayne Hall’s angry face fills the screen. Lowder beside him.
BOBBY LOWDER (ON PROJECTOR)
Your walk-on is a risk! Cut him!
COACH WAYNE HALL (ON PROJECTOR)
Get him the hell out of here. What
an embarrassment to the school.
The film stops. Silence. Stashik distraught.
COACH DANIELS
You froze. Lost Hall’s trust. I
slipped you in, but you disappoint.
STASHIK
If I’m cut we’ll lose the farm.
COACH DANIELS
That’s on you. Have you given it
your all? No. Ya haven’t. Lambert?
Steelers? Man had no teeth because
he feared nothing. Ya still got
yours. Says ya holding back.
Stashik stares at Daniels missing teeth, realization.
COACH DANIELS
You wanna play? Then fears gotta
beat someone else. Not you. I’ll
think about what to do about you.
See me Monday. Get out!
Stashik’s reaction is devastation as the screen fades and a
distant whistle sounds in the background.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
A Farewell Under the Evening Sky
INT. LYDIAS COTTAGE - EVENING
A tea kettle whistles. Aunt Helen, takes the pot and looks
out through the kitchen window into the backyard.
Stashik is sitting on a picnic table, family around.
EXT. LYDIA’S COTTAGE - BACKYARD - EVENING
The Bible in Stashik’s trembling fingers.
STASHIK
I will strengthen you, I will help
you, I will uphold you..
Stash, teared eyes, sits on the picnic table.
Lydia walks past, with a box, collecting dishes.
STASHIK
..with my righteous right hand.
He closes the Bible, gold cross glowing. He looks around.
Eddie, trembling, tinkers with the Del Rio nearby.
Betsy chases Ritchie chasing ducks past Doris under a tree.
LYDIA
Remember the night your father
found out ya threw the football.
STASHIK
I still got teeth.
Doris walks over, hands Stashik a perfect drawing of him
tackling. He stares at the draw, at her.
LYDIA (O.S)
They can’t get rid of you. They
need you for something.
Eddie slams the hood. Betsy picks up Ritchie.
EDDIE
Wagons fixed. Hide out a while.
Stashik surrounded by family, prepares for his departure.
Betsy, heartbroken, as Aunt Helen walks past with the kettle.
LYDIA
Your father wasn’t afraid of dying.
He was afraid of leaving you
unfinished.
Helen pours tea for Betsy as Ritchie squirms in Betsy’s arms.
AUNT HELEN
Im not a nun Stash. But don’t be
afraid of dying. You’re gonna go
someday anyway.
Ritchie squirms in Betsy’s arms.
LYDIA
You forgot your pie!
Stash waves to Lydia, but focuses on Eddie near the Del Rio.
NEAR DEL RIO
Eddie opens doors. Stashik enters the Rio, feels a tug on his
pants. He looks down at Ritchie, kneels.
Ritchie holds out three duck feathers.
RITCHIE
Quack quack!
Stashik’s eyes tear, looks at the feathers. Ritchie runs off.
Betsy approaches. Stashik takes her in his arms.
STASHIK
Is there a God Betsy?
Eddie sees heartache as Betsy nods, yes. They kiss.
Lydia watches from nearby.
Stashik gazes into Betsy's eyes, releases her.
Betsy, tear-streaked, turns to Ritchie.
Eddie, twitching, shoves an envelope at Stashik. He takes it.
EDDIE
Garage money.
Stashik glances at Betsy, hoisting Ritchie. Eyes lock.
He turns toward the Del Rio and stops at the driver door,
looks back at his family — Betsy squeezing Ritchie close.
A beat.
Then Stashik’s face hardens — a fire we’ve never seen.
He opens the door, enters and then SLAMS it shut.
EXT. DIRT PATH – CONTINUOUS
The Del Rio rumbles down the path.
Betsy watches as it disappears, blending into AUBURN’S spires
slowly materializing through heat shimmer and distance.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Tension in the Film Room
EXT. DEFENSIVE TACKLE FILM ROOM - DAY
Hiram peers through a cracked door. Projector whirring noise.
HIRAM
Coach is tearing into him. He’s
gone.
SHEA
Move Hiro. My turn.
Players loom behind. Shea looks through the door crack.
COACH DANIELS (O.S.)
Every misstep costs us the game.
You get an E for effort. But..
INT. DEFENSIVE TACKLE FILM ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Daniels turns off the projector. Stashik fidgets as a serious
Daniels reviews paperwork, thinks & then looks up at Stashik.
COACH DANIELS
You don’t get anymore chances.
Times up.
Stashik is devastated.
COACH DANIELS
You’re gonna put your life on the
line on every single play or it’s
over...ya know what?
Stashik looks up as Daniels plays a clip: Stashik calling a
play cleanly in the zone. Stashik exhales in hope.
STASHIK
I made a call. I’ll prove I’m an
Auburn Tiger coach.
COACH DANIELS
Ya best, because we can’t change
the stripes of a Tiger then can we.
Out. (Hiram slips in) Both of ya!
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Tensions at Grandpa's Shack
EXT/INT. GRANDPAS SHACK
The yard is tidied, bottles are boxed. Betsy steps into view.
Inside, Rocko is packing grandpas belongings into boxes.
Betsy is standing near grandpas chair.
Rocko
Stashik got what I wanted. I wish I
was like him.
BETSY
You're not. Ya stealing from a dead
man.
Rocko, stops, thinks.
ROCKO
You tryin’ to take this place from
me?
BETSY
Don’t go down this road Rocko.
ROCKO
Nobody ever rooted for me, Betsy.
Good luck.
Rocko turns on the radio.
ANNOUNCER #3 (O.S.)
Sure looks like they’ll hold on to
beat Southern Miss and Brett Favre.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
Tensions on the Field
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - WATCH TOWER - DAY
Hall scans practice with binoculars and lands on Stashik.
Jacobs walls up hands him papers. Dye watches.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Our run game sent a message. Now
every team knows Favre can be beat.
Wayne looks at the paper.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You absolutely sure about Emmitt?
COACH JACOBS
We scrutinized every piece of tape
on Emmitt. The computer system you
recommended gave us strategies to
contain him, just as with Favre.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You saw what Alabama did to them
with the run. They tore them up.
Jacobs hands Dye a blue colored envelope.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Jacobs! Run a program escalating
our tackle drills with Emmitt as
the carrier. We need to know what
part of his body to hit.
Wayne looks through the binoculars to the practice field.
ON PRACTICE FIELD
Stashik powers through players.
Teammates watch, nodding approvingly.
Dye approaches Daniel’s with blue papers.
COACH DANIELS
That’s good. Next play LB Stash.
COACH PAT DYE
He’s almost the top dog on scout
team now and nobody is worried?
Daniel’s blows the whistle, players line in formation.
COACH DANIELS
Doesn’t have a pop on the whistle.
COACH PAT DYE
The Steelers traded ya. Giants.
Dye hands the blue papers to a surprised Daniels.
COACH DANIELS
Coach. ( blows whistle)
Stashik, at LB, scans the backfield. His eyes lock on the
QB’s. His lisp vanishes, pure command as his voice steadies.
STASHIK
Thrape! Scrape!
The ball is snapped. The players CRASH together, and Stashik
surges through the line, tackling the runner ferociously.
Daniels watches, impressed.
Stashik rises, pounding his chest. Players join Stashik.
Wayne enters frame as Dye’s eye squints at the walk on
players cheering Stashik, camaraderie lifts them.
COACH PAT DYE
He made a call. Took guts.
Wayne ignores Dye as Players fight. Stashik gets pushed down.
COACH DANIELS
No. No. Run it again! RB Stash.
As whistles blow, offense and defense clash. Stashik takes a
hit from Shea but fights back, charging into the end zone.
Daniels blows the whistle as Wayne storms forward to Shea.
COACH WAYNE HALL
That’s twice he’s beat you.
SHEA
He’s strong. Just doesn't stop.
Shea HOBBLES to the sideline as Dye walks to Wayne.
COACH PAT DYE
Maybe dress Mr. Irrelevant for a
game. Little reward at LB. No PT.
Wayne wipes the sweat off his face. His lip trembles.
COACH WAYNE HALL
We have titles to win, Coach.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
Ice and Ambition
INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - ICE ROOM
Players are rowdy as we pan to a trainer, taking off
Stashik’s pads. He has a BIG BRUISE over his ribs. Grimaces.
TRAINER
That’s a nasty. Off pads two weeks.
STASHIK
Gotta play.
HIRAM
You think ya running with bulls?
Hiram prods Stash’s bruise. Stash winces, then sinks in ice.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE
Men play with worse. But You don’t
know that, Hiram.
HIRAM
(Sarcastic)Yeah, because that makes
all the difference when walking on.
Mike offers a knowing glance at Stashik and walks away.
STASHIK
(Leans in, fired up) This is our
time! If we don’t take the thot..
HIRAM
It’s not a thot, it’s delusional.
(to Mike) You think farm boy's
gonna steal my snaps? Not!
STASHIK
Least I ain't hidin' behind jokes.
Hiram walks off. Bennie, nearby, rubs his taped ankle.
BENNIE
One more bad hit on that shoulder
and you’ll feel it snap like dry
timber.
Stashik has a moment of fright.
STASHIK
Thought All-Americans had it made.
BENNIE
Made? I’m nobody like you if I go
down, fightin’ for scraps. Don’t
choke out there. Ain’t room for
both of us to fail.
He tosses Stashik an ice pack, a grudging gesture. Bennie
walks off. Camera pulls back thru the...
ICE ROOM WINDOW
Through the glass Wayne and Daniels study Stashik, submerged
in ice, bruised and battered.
COACH WAYNE HALL
They’re chipping away at him.
COACH DANIELS
He’s got grit.
COACH WAYNE HALL
I eat grits for breakfast.
Wayne turns, disgruntled as Shea, limping, enters ice room.
Genres:
["Sports Drama","Character Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Chasing Shadows
EXT. SEWELL HALL - ATHLETIC DORMS - EVENING - CONTINUOUS
Practice field lights burn behind the dorms. Players exit.
Shea, Hiram, and Stashik stride by, laughing.
HIRAM
That tackle was, damn pops! Who
taught ya the scrape call?
SHEA
Yeah, you’re a damn freight train.
STASHIK
Guess I’m stuck with Laurel and
Hardy as friends.
HIRAM
That hit reminds me of dad’s day’s.
Bulked up, blew his knees, ended a
nobody. I'm next if I don't change.
STASHIK
Tough ain’t smart againth that
team. You need apples-I need a
chance.
HIRAM
We both got something to prove.
SHEA
Keep pushing Stash. Ya never know!
STASHIK
Yea. Yea. What’s that rumor about
your dad being Fat Albert?
HIRAM
Fat Albert Robertson, king of the
hood. Hey, hey, hey!
SHEA
If you listen to Hiram you’re
dumber than dirt.
HIRAM
My old man was like Fat Albert. Ate
his way outta da pros. Now he rides
me to stay big, play big. But damn,
these man-boobs? Scouts laugh.
STASHIK
My gramps bet the farm on me. We're
both chasin' ghosts Hiram.
A BLACK car passes. Stashik freezes. Hiram notices.
FLASHBACK: AIR FORCE BASE TARMAC - 1970
Rain lashes down. A 7-year old Stashik races toward a
military cargo plane loading a flag draped coffin.
STASHIK
Dad. Dad. Dad!
Lydia races after him. The cargo planes engine thunders-
END FLASHBACK
INT. 1959 DEL RIO STATION WAGON - RAIN - EVENING
A match cut into Stash’s blinking eye as he lies in the
wagon, staring at the rain splatting the window.
Genres:
["Sports Drama","Family Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Tensions and Triumphs
EXT. COACH PAT DYE FARM HOUSE - NIGHT
Lowder paces, gripping a financial report. Wayne leans
against his truck. Daniel’s and Dye stand firm, arms crossed.
LOWDER
That farm boy's a distraction—cut
him or lose donors and jets.
DYE
Bob—meddling like this will make
trouble down the road.
WAYNE
Like every walk on. We're going use
every inch of his body to beat him
off the team, fair and square.
Daniel’s pauses, looks around—eyes locking on Lowder's smile.
DANIELS
Then maybe it’s time we stop
letting boosters call plays.
LOWDER
Boosters like me built..
DYE
Enough. We're coaches, not bankers.
Get out, Bob. We’ll figure it out.
Lowder storms to his car. Door slams. He drives off.
Dye hands out cigars to Wayne and Daniels.
WAYNE
Didn’t think ya had that in ya.
Daniel’s, smiles, hands Wayne papers.
DANIELS
This is how to stonewall Emmitt.
Coach Dye looks at Wayne. He speaks with fire in his voice.
COACH PAT DYE
Now destroy him, and show them who
rules the SEC.
Wayne, stares back.
INT. HEALTH FOOD HUT - MINI TV
Stashik watches the tv as Auburns QB takes the snap.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Emmitt Smith held to just 86 yards.
Auburn trails seven to three. Slack
has one set back. Desperation
play. Slack going to throw in the
end zone. Touchdown Auburn!
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - LOCKER ROOM - NIGHT
Players celebrate wildly. Dye roars.
COACH PAT DYE
There’s been some incredible
victories at Jordan Hare but none
like tonight against Florida.
Players dump Gatorade over Dye. The excitement palpable. A
few SUITS in Gatorade hats eye Gatorade drips.
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Focus on the Game
INT. COACH WAYNE HALLS OFFICE - MINI TV - DAY
On the mini tv, the locker celebration continues until a
suit turns off the mini tv.
Wayne stares out his window, watching players practice below.
SUIT
If that walk-on is making a sport
drink in his food science class…
COACH WAYNE HALL
A glass of water with a squirt of
lemon. What’s the issue with that?
SUIT #2
The issue is you could be held
liable for not insuring your
fiduciary duty to your sponsor’s.
SUIT #1
Us, if he makes a competing drink.
COACH JACOBS
Georgia Tech had a similar issue
with Coca Cola. Over Powerade.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You take care of that shit. I’m
here for the football. Anybody else
have anything to say? Good. If I
hear any more talk about putting AC
in practice facilities, I’m gone. I
need to prep for Tech.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
The Unexpected Spotlight
INT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - LOCKER ROOM - DAY
Mike yells the players out. Stash, sits quiet.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE
Hustle, Tiger Walk, two minutes.
Don’t underestimate Louisiana.
Sleepers will destroy a program!
Cage phone rings. Mike answers.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE
Hope that bruise is iced. Dress
squad Stash. D-line back-up. Odd!
Stash, caught off guard, darts toward the door, pumps fists.
EQUIPMENT MANAGER MIKE
Pads. Ya ain’t a leather head.
Stashik turns and smiles. Mike is holding the uniform.
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY
The marching band blares. Rowdy fans go crazy.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Stashik, #79, sprints solo to the sideline, eyes scanning.
STADIUM SEATING
Hiram, thrilled, turns to another fan.
HIRAM
That’s one of the walk-on brothers.
Made the dress squad over me. Damn.
In the student section Mad-Dog and Joy cheer wildly.
AUBURN SIDELINE
ESPN ANALYST
..most talked about event of recent
weeks. The emergence of an unknown
walk-on.
Cameras scan the sideline. Stashik is overwhelmed.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
ANNOUNCER
Louisiana Tech wins the toss.
Auburn will receive.
STADIUM STANDS
The fans erupt.
CROWD
War Eagle! Fly!
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne, stone-faced, notices Stashik is happily distracted.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Stash! You got the playbook?
STASHIK
Yeah, Coach.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Well? Hand it over.
Stashik pulls a Bible from his helmet. Offering it to Wayne.
STASHIK
Beth playbook ever.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Shea’s cleared. Scouts your spot.
Shea steps up, Stashik steps aside, shell shocked.
SHEA
Sorry Stash. Coach’s orders.
FLASH - Stashik’s photo is taken.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
Pressure and Innovation
INT. COACH WAYNE HALL’S OFFICE - DAY
Wayne tosses a paper: “WALK ON ALMOST MAKES IT” to his
cluttered desk near a magazine “COMPUTERS IN FOOTBALL”.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Computers, changing everything.
COACH DANIELS
You were ahead of your time on
that. Good call for the program.
Georgia next. Shea’s got turf toe
and we have problems.
COACH WAYNE HALL
First team jerking around with walk-
on’s. That’s why we have issues.
Think about the future of..
Daniels chalks the X’s & O’s, eyeing the Computers headline.
COACH WAYNE HALL
..football if we’re going to
survive. We need killers.
Wayne slams his fist on the Walk-on Headlines!
COACH WAYNE HALL
Somebody that really wants to win
over Georgia or there’s no Bowl
game. Zero coaching jobs for
losers. You got your job with the
Giants but I still need a killer
with speed.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
Brotherly Bonds and Farewells
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - APPLE FIELD - DAY
Stashik examines a tree from a ladder. Eddie trembles below
loading crates onto a truck.
STASHIK
Let Elam know the rosemary oil
saved the trees. Eddie?(pause)
EDDIE
I don’t think I’ll be letting the
Amish know anything.
STASHIK
You should be in a hospital bed.
EDDIE
Yea. But I like the fields like you
do. I’d rather drop right here than
in a sterile room.(pause) I used
the farm as an excuse cause I had
nothing left for football.
A moment.
STASHIK
Docs figure anything out?
EDDIE
Nerve stuff. Ya know, it doesn’t
matter that they pulled you the
from the game. Cuz if you ever get
on that field they will think they
smashed into a truck and wonder
where the hell you came from.
Stashik takes that in.
STASHIK
Yea. Right?
EDDIE
Yup. But it’ll be too late because
by the time they realize my brother
with no film is barreling over
them, the game is over.
The brothers laugh. Stash, smiling, starts down the ladder.
STASHIK
How bad is it?
EDDIE
I’m done. Doc’s say there’s no road
back. Sorry I wasn’t a better big
brother to ya. Win for us quitters
Stash. You were good in football.
Don’t be afraid of dying. I’m not
anymore. Pray with me.
Eddie hugs Stashik, foreheads touch, hands grip, mumbling.
STASHIK/EDDIE
Yea as I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death..
FLASHBACK - Stashik(9) and Eddie play football in snow, barn
in the b.g. Christmas wreath hangs, a radio in the snow.
RADIO (O.S.)
Franco Harris has it..and Its over.
Franco Harris. A Christmas miracle.
Stashik fumbles the football, etched with “to Stashik,
Christmas 1972, Love Eddie”.
It rolls past the mailbox, with the “Witekopolowski” name.
END FLASHBACK
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
Thanksgiving Strategy Session
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY
Thanksgiving Day banners around. Empty seats.
Wayne is in an oversized golf cart with Dye, Jacobs, and the
Univ. President.
COACH JACOBS
Report says Shea has an ankle
issue and Bob Meeks, a vertebrae.
BILL, the groundskeeper approaches.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Who can we replace them with?
GROUNDSKEEPER BILL
Coach. The speaker system enabled
if you want to check early a.m.
COACH WAYNE HALL
There’s extra tickets for you.
The groundskeeper gives a toothless nod. Wayne grunts.
COACH PAT DYE
Meeks is going NFL. How’s that
going to affect his draft stock?
COACH JACOBS
He’ll drop a few spots. Move Meeks
to tackle, put Chris Grey at
center.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Meeks is too quick for tackle.
Chris is solid. Leave him at guard.
The Seahawks are watching him.
COACH JACOBS
Lotta injuries on this report.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Yup. Georgia’s gonna be a problem.
Let’s get to the practice field and
make changes.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
Collision of Fear and Courage
EXT. ATHLETIC COMPLEX - PRACTICE FIELD - CONTINUOUS
Smash! A player goes down. Trainers rush in with a stretcher.
Stash stands off to the side watching an ambulance pull up.
Daniels whistles for Stashik and he runs into the scrimmage.
COACH DANIELS
Stash. Two minute drill!
Hurry up formation, the ball is snapped.
Bennie catches a screen pass, blows past Stashik, who misses.
The football hits Stashik’s back. Bennie laughs.
Daniels shoves the ball in Stashik’s hands.
COACH DANIELS
You quitting?
STASHIK
I’m not.
Daniels grabs him, face to face.
COACH DANIELS
You’re hiding behind fear!
A very vicious Bennie steps ten yards away from Stashik.
BENNIE
Give me the damn ball!
HIRAM
This is it Stash. Your moment. Show
them us scrubs got heart.
Stash looks at Hiram, beats his chest with his fist.
Bennie steps back ten more dangerous yards.
Daniels looks on nervously.
BENNIE
Full speed. I’m gonna break you.
Players murmur, exchanging tense glances.
BENNIE
Call it coach. Lets see who lives.
SLOW MOTION: whistle to Daniel’s lips. Sweat on Bennie’s
brow. Focus in Stashik’s eyes.
Daniels blows the whistle.
Bennie launches forward, spurring grass on his heals.
Stashik mirrors Bennie’s intensity, charging toward him.
Dye and Wayne Hall’s golf cart stops.
Coach Daniel’s eyebrows pop upward.
Bennie, with anger in his face, charges after Stashik.
Stashik’s face is intense focus, charging, as we witness...
...in BULLET TIME a collision so violent that sweat spurts
off their faces, and mouth guards pop out, with two bodies
impacting each other like a high speed car accident.
The two bodies come to a violent stop. We hear the moans of
pain as Stashik and Bennie violently slam to the ground.
A single mouthguard spins in the grass.
Coach Hall is terrified and stands straight up in the cart.
Daniels and many players run to the two bodies.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Get back. Get back! Medic!
Stashik’s face rolls ever so slowly to the side, he sees...
...the ball slipping slowly from Bennie’s clutch, eliciting..
..shocked awe on Coach Hall’s face, as he runs up.
Stashik smiles with pain.
Wayne Hall throws his hat down.
The players are in shock.
Hiram adjusts his Jersey to cover his belly and fist pumps..
..as the walk-on’s ROAR!
Stashik smiles as he tries to get up while looking at...
...Bennie. He sees the All-American patch. The two players
look at each other and grin as sweat pours off their faces.
ON DANIELS AND HALL
COACH DANIELS
If he had speed. He’s your killer.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
A Glimmer of Hope
INT/EXT. 1959 DEL RIO STATION WAGON - 4 A.M.
The alarm buzzes. Stashik silences it and slowly unfolds in
the back of the wagon.
He turns on the radio. “Knights in White Satin” hums.
His eyes land on Betsy’s gold cross. He exhales, touches it.
The wagon trunk lifts.
Stashik crawls out.
Misty, star-lit cow fields glow
EXT. TOOMER’S CORNER - 5 A.M.
Lights flicker. A car pulls away revealing Stash walking.
EXT. AUBURN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - 5 A.M.
A lonely campus. Stash walks toward distant lights, growing
larger with every step.
EXT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - 5 A.M.
The stadium glows as Stashik stares. A loudspeaker crackles.
LOUDSPEAKER MUSIC (O.S.)
“O say can you see, by the dawn’s..
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - 5 A.M.
The scoreboard sits silent between the goalposts. American
flags ripple in the dark.
LOUDSPEAKER MUSIC (O.S.)
And the rockets red glare, the
bombs bursting in..
Stashik stands stiff at midfield, saluting the flag.
Wayne enters frame, eyeing Stashik.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You made dress squad for Georgia.
Stashik continues saluting. One tear slipping.
STASHIK
Final tetht was the Bible?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Figured if you couldn’t return it,
you couldn’t play the game.
STASHIK
Even though you knew there wath no
way I’d ever play?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Thought you might like to keep that
peaceful life. You know the story-
All-Americans who never made it.
STASHIK
The 167 pound corner moving fence?
COACH WAYNE HALL
Rehired. We’re knee-deep in
linebackers. We’re in it to..
STASHIK
..win it?
COACH WAYNE HALL
First team all the way.
STASHIK
Til’ death do you part.
COACH WAYNE HALL
That’s it. This is the SEC. No
favors, no favorites. Or you lose.
STASHIK
Any way to get in the game?
COACH WAYNE HALL
None. We have 60 players better
than you. All-Americans are a
different breed. Best of the best.
You’re the best of the worst.
You’re a nobody Stashik. A nobody
that wanted to be a somebody. You
do take hits like a man possessed.
After this weeks game it’s time to
let it go and go home.
Wayne tosses Stashik a #58 JERSEY. His eyes light up. Hope.
We spiral into an GOD SHOT of the stadium, a small light
illuminating the AU INSIGNIA at midfield. Blending into..
Genres:
["Drama","Sports"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
Game Day Excitement at Auburn
EXT. AUBURN UNIVERSITY - PILLARS - DAY - 1989
..AU insignia embedded in pillars in front of the campus give
way to cars and campers, in full football paraphernalia.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
This is what we have been waiting
for. Auburn hosts Georgia in this
years most anticipated ball game!
EXT. JORDAN HARE STADIUM - ABOVE SHOTS
Thousands of fanatical fans surge toward
TIGER WALK
Auburn players and #58 Stashik walk the famous walk amidst
fan madness. Betsy and Ritchie stand in the crowd.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
He may not be an All-American but
he earned the right to be on this
field today.
Stashik and the players continue the Tiger Walk as we go...
...SLOW MOTION on Stashik approaching Betsy and Ritchie. He
takes her hand, fleetingly gives her a surprise kiss, and
disappears in the Tiger Walk.
Betsy stares as Ritchie hangs on for dear life. A baby bump.
INT/EXT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY
Soaring over the top of the stadium, crowds cheer crazily.
Coaches, ESPN, mascots & students wave “#58 Walk-On” banners.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
And here come the Auburn Tigers!
Auburn bursts from the tunnel. #58, Stashik lags behind.
STADIUM SEATING
Doris, Lydia & Helen, cheer. Betsy and Ritchie squeeze in.
Genres:
["Sports Drama","Family Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
Game Day Pressure
INT. ANNOUNCER BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
ANNOUNCER
Coach Wayne Hall’s violent defense
against the country’s Heisman
hopeful, #5, Garrison Hearst, with
Georgia. And here come the dogs!
BACK IN STADIUM TUNNEL
Georgia players burst from their tunnel as the crowd erupts,
initiating a wave that circles the stadium, guiding us to…
MIDFIELD
Players for both teams stretch and warm-up.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
This is going to be a battle!
Auburn thin on defense with heavy
injuries may force Wayne Hall’s..
Wayne twirls his whistle, walking amongst players, they
stretch & instantly get into playing position. Stash slow.
BENNIE
You hit like a combine crash.
STASHIK
I thought you’d bury me.
BERNIE
Hearst is a beast. Watch his hips.
Stash nods & lines up exactly like Bennie. Doubt crosses his
eyes as he glances at the crowd and then he shrugs it off.
From above we see Wayne Hall blow the whistle and the team,
in soldier-like fashion, takes off to the sideline.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
ANNOUNCER
You can hear the War Eagle chant
now.
STADIUM CROWD (O.S.)
Warrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..
BACK IN STADIUM
The cheerleaders perform aerial twirls as the wave circles
the stadium and comes to rest on Wayne, who is walking
towards the sideline where the players are in a frenzy.
ABOVE SHOT
The marching band exits the field. The crowd goes nuts as..
..players for each team run on the field, from the sideline.
FIELD LEVEL
The referee blows the whistle.
The players go in motion for kickoff.
The ball is booted off the tee.
STADIUM CROWD (O.S.)
..rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr eagle! Fly!
STADIUM SEATING
Mad-Dog and Joy push their way into the student section.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
..and there’s the kickoff. #5 from
Georgia receives the ball and going
down the right side. He has a wide
open lane! He can move!
FIELD LEVEL
Ga. #5 tears down the sideline. #53 Bennie Pierce slams him.
The crowd erupts.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
What a blistering hit. Hearst felt
that. Bennie Pierce on the tackle.
Auburn’s defense is fired up. Georgia races to the line.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne signals frantically, motioning his players to the line.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Back on the line.
SCOREBOARD: 1st Qtr., Georgia 0 - Auburn 0, 10:39 & ticking.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Battle is fierce at nose tackle.
FIELD LEVEL
GEORGIA QUARTERBACK
Set. Hut. Hut!
Snap, the pitch. #53 meets Hearst head on!
ANNOUNCER#2 (O.S.)
The top running back in the country
just got a feel of that Auburn D.
AUBURN SIDELINES
Stashik watches. Coaches and players are going wild.
MIDFIELD
Georgia QB takes the snap.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
There’s a quick snap. There goes #5
for 15 yards. Hearst is going to be
impossible to stop tonight.
#5 for Georgia evades tacklers for fifteen yards and is hit
by #53, out of bounds near a pissed off Wayne Hall.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
ANNOUNCER #1
Auburn hasn’t seen this kind of
grit since Bo ran wild in ’85! Wow!
Another quick snap.
MIDFIELD
A Georgia receiver catches a pass and is hammered down.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
What a smash down. Auburn’s defense
is relentless.
AUBURN/GEORGIA SIDELINES
Auburn players on the sideline are jumping up and down.
Georgia coaches observe their punter warming up.
Auburn coaches are engrossed in play sheets and strategies.
FIELD LEVEL
Auburn’s Offense hurries to the line. Georgia’s D mirrors and
in real time, the ball is snapped.
Auburn QB drops back in HYPER-SPEED.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Auburn takes the snap and hand off!
Wait a minute. It’s a flea flicker!
He’s wide open! I don’t believe it!
Touchdown Auburn!
HYPER-SPEED whips the ball downfield for an Auburn touchdown.
END ZONE
Auburn players celebrate wildly.
STADIUM SEATING
The crowd erupts in wild cheers.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Auburn players are thrilled. Wayne, in the midst, is calm, on
his headset.
Stashik, nearby, pumping his fists.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
ANNOUNCER
Auburn on a quick score at the end
of the first quarter! Talk about a
turn of events to tie this game!
AUBURN SIDELINES
Auburn players are restless on the sideline with cheerleaders
tossed in the air behind them, revealing..
STADIUM SEATING
..Betsy and Ritchie, waving pom-pom’s in the stands seating.
ON FIELD
ULTRA SPEED, Auburn kicks off.
The ball sails to #5 who is forced out of bounds at the 20
yard line morphing the chase..
..into the Georgia QB sacked by a swarming Auburn defense.
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Bulldogs seem to have lost a little
bit of the edge.
AUBURN/GEORGIA SIDELINE
Auburn players cheer energetically. Daniels is thrilled.
Wayne stands stoically, speaking in the headset.
Georgia players begin jeering the crowd from the sideline.
A hurt player sprints to Coach Hall on the Auburn sideline.
RICHARD SHEA
They’re chop blocking us coach!
COACH WAYNE HALL
Get that leg checked! Damn!
Wayne, seething with rage, watches the crowd cheer.
ON FIELD
Georgia's QB hands off the ball. #53 breaks through the
middle, instantly stopping the play.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Auburn’s defense is looking solid
now. It’s going to be a long night.
Garrison Hearst will wear this
defense down but the Bulldogs have
to keep getting the ball to #5.
The ball is handed to #5. He runs and darts through Auburn’s
defense, turning out of bounds near the Georgia cheerleaders.
STADIUM SEATING
The WAVE travels slowly through the stadium, capturing the..
AUBURN/GEORGIA SIDELINE
Auburn and Georgia coaches, in their game plans, frenzied.
ON FIELD
#5 of Georgia taking the handoff to the left for a TOUCHDOWN.
STADIUM SEATING
The Georgia crowd goes crazy.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Another nice run. Auburn’s defense
is being picked apart now. Score is
14-7 Dogs. 1:29 left in the half.
Injury on the field to #53.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Stash stands on the bench behind frustrated Wayne Hall.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Oh that’s not going to be good for
Auburn! Not now anyway.
#53, limping, makes his way to the sideline.
Stashik watches Bennie. He eyes Wayne speaking in his mic.
SLO MOTION Wayne touching his headset, his face downcast.
COACHES BOX
Pat Dye, tense, grips the mic & makes the sign of the cross.
COACH PAT DYE
God help us all Wayne.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne stares as Bennie hobbles to a bench with a medic. They
stare at each other.
Bennie nods to Wayne, encouraging him.
Wayne’s eyes shift to Stashik who sits nervously on the
bench.
Stashik looks up.
Wayne grabs Stashik’s facemask.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Don’t you dare mess this up!
Dazed, Stashik locks eyes with Wayne—
beats his chest—
and charges onto the field.
From above the crowd goes crazy. Walk on banners everywhere!
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Wayne Hall puts in walk-on Stashik
Witek..
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
Tension on the Field
INT. CROFTS BARN - MINI TV - DAY
Stashik runs to the midfield huddle as seen on a mini t.v.
Rocko roars “Nooooo..” as Croft bandages his bloody arm.
ROCKO
Nooooooooooooo...
A donkey near them. Syringes on a bale of hay.
BACK IN JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - STADIUM STANDS
Lydia/Helen/Betsy/Ritchie/Doris stand up, cheer.
Hiram stands up motionless.
Mad-Dog & Joy cheer in the student section that erupts in..
BENNIE’S EYES
Bennie grins, as a trainer CASTS his ankle on the..
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne steps forward gazing at Stash hauntingly as the savior.
FIELD LEVEL
The ref blows the whistle and motions to start the clock.
MIDFIELD
Stashik is in the middle of the huddle.
DEFENSIVE CAPTAIN
Show time! Tite 43-cat! Break!
INT. COACHES BOX
We move through the box as Coach Pat Dye looks to the field.
FIELD LEVEL
Lines of scrimmage form. Stashik gets into position, wide-
eyed, points at the offensive players. His confidence grows.
STASHIK
I got that one!
As we go into Stashik’s eyes as he focuses on..
..a football that is snapped.
Players collide in a violent run up the middle
Stashik gets started late and is pummeled backwards.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne cringes as players and cheerleaders go wild.
SCOREBOARD CLOCK - 2nd Qtr., 00:00, Georgia 14- Auburn 14.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
Rivalry on the Field
INT. JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - AUBURN LOCKER ROOM
Players beating their chests as Hall gives a fierce speech.
COACH WAYNE HALL
If you leave anything on that field
you’ll regret it to the day you
die. Now go finish this thing!
The players erupt, tear out of the locker room, MORPHING..
FIELD LEVEL
..into Auburn’s defense chasing and tackling a Georgia RB.
STADIUM SEATING
The student section, Maddog and Joy cheer as we blend to..
FIELD LEVEL
..Stashik, linebacking, is nervous. The noise of the stadium
the signals..
..the grunts of players, and the silent snap as..
..Auburn’s defense charges the play. Stashik gets knocked
back with a violent impact, missing the tackle.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne, mad as the play goes out of bounds at Wayne's FEET..
FIELD LEVEL
..that morphs into another #5 Georgia run up the middle and
#58 Stashik making a solid hit to bring Hearst down.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Coach Daniels and Wayne are elated.
COACH DANIELS
Line up! Line up!
FIELD LEVEL
Auburn players congratulate Stashik. He is in pain.
Georgia’s offense readies, in hurry up.
SCOREBOARD: Georgia 14, Auburn 14, 3rd quarter, 08:25 left.
MIDFIELD
A Georgia WR catch is halted violently by #58 at midfield.
Stashik in disbelief of himself! Referees whistle.
STADIUM SEATING
The crowd erupts.
FIELD LEVEL
A Georgia QB sneak powers down to the forty yard line.
The chains move to the forty as the fans roar in the b.g.
Players lining up. Auburn on defense. Georgia
FIELD LEVEL
Georgia’s #5 runs up the middle, slams into the defense.
Bodies pile. The scrum breaks—
A Georgia receiver gets smashed at the 30
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Auburn defense is tightening. Ooh!
That’s a good hit right there!
Fifty-eight is holding ground. Wow!
Stashik bursts through, clips #5, in the backfield.
Hearst stumbles, spins back up instantly, and taunts Stashik.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Hearst jeering, refs watching.
A shove, then another.
Flags fly as officials separate them.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Auburn coaches frantic. Wayne, locks glaring eyes on Stashik.
Down chains shift. First down on the 20, near Hall & Daniels.
FIELD LEVEL
Georgia goes no huddle, before Auburn’s set. Snap.
Hearst charges downhill and steamrolls Stashik, driving him
backward, smashing him to the ground. Into the end zone
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
That’s the Bulldog offense coming
to life. No stopping them now.
#5 stands over #58 on the ground. Points at him.
The crowd erupts.
Scoreboard: Georgia 21 Auburn 14. 4th qtr. 10:29 left.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Victory in the Rain
INT. JORDAN HARE STADIUM - HALLWAY TO COACHES BOX
David Housel and Bobby Lowder are rushing through.
DAVID HOUSEL
Bob. I’m sure Coach Dye has his
reasons on why a walk-on is on the
dress list over a scholarship.
BOBBY LOWDER
Housel, Boosters won’t like this
and I’m not letting no one tank it.
A DOOR OPENS and everyone comes to a stop.
ASSISTANT
Coach Dye is in here Mr. Lowder.
And the University President is
here to see you, Mr. Housel.
David Housel and Bobby Lowder enter the..
COACHES BOX
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
What a hit on fifty eight there!
On a MONITOR #58 gets walloped. Housel & Lowder are shocked.
STADIUM SEATING
Betsy uncovers her eyes & a CONCIERGE steps forward and
motions for her to follow.
COACHES BOX
The camera pans back from the field to the coaches box.
Dye is watching the game through the glass while mic'd up.
COACH PAT DYE
Wayne. I’m seeing a slight shift of
the Bulldog offense to the left.
Watch out for the pitch.
Housel and Lowder stand with the University President.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne Hall moves the microphone away from his face and
signals in. Stashik takes the signal and then stares at...
...Wayne staring back at him ever so long.
COACHES BOX
Pat Dye turns to the monitor and sees Stashik make a huge hit
that brings down the RB. Lowder and Housel are elated.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
What a hit! Number 58. I don’t
think anyone is believing this!
FIELD LEVEL - AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne Hall, wearing headphones, remains composed as he eyes
Stashik, getting up from the turf.
COACHES BOX
Lowder speaks with Dye as he gestures towards the monitor.
Stashik, on monitor celebrates by pumping his fists. Pulling
back, the well-heeled raise their drinks in celebration.
STADIUM SEATING
The stadium crowd goes crazy.
FIELD LEVEL - AUBURN SIDELINE
The ball is snapped and #58 deals a smashingly violent helmet
POV hit to the opponent, coming through the middle.
On Auburn’s sideline, Wayne just stares. Nerves of steel.
Stashik gets up slowly and looks at the Georgia offense with
distorted vision. He then looks Wayne’s way, signaling.
COACHES BOX
Betsy and Ritchie enter with the concierge.
FIELD LEVEL
Stashik quits rubbing his eyes and rightens his body.
AUBURN SIDELINE - FIELD LEVEL
Wayne notices Stashik turn to the offense, point his finger
and COMMAND. He’s a BEAST now. The QB knows the fear.
STASHIK
I got him! I got him!
The lisp gone, ball is snapped. Stash surges, wallops the QB.
Blood pours from a gash in Stash’s face.
He beats barbarically on his chest.
The Auburn players ignite.
COACHES BOX - MONITOR
Betsy sees Stashik’s bloodied face on a monitor and gasps.
AUBURN SIDELINES
Wayne eyes the scoreboard. 4th Qtr. 06:29. Georgia 21-14 AU.
COACHES BOX - MONITOR
Stashik’s bloodied face is full screen on monitor as if..
..he’s looking at Betsy staring at the monitor. Betsy,
holding Ritchie, stares in fright at the monitor as..
..Coach Pat Dye looks her way. Betsy cheers tearfully.
Housel rushes to the glass in b.g., looks to the field below.
FIELD LEVEL
A brutal smash up of players as the crowd erupts, creating..
STADIUM STANDS
..a wave that circles the stadium and passes the glass
coaches box. Betsy emerges into view, holding Ritchie.
COACHES BOX
At the glass, Betsy and Ritchie stare to the field below.
FIELD LEVEL
Auburn’s defensive players huddle at midfield.
PLAYER 1
More effort!
Stashik, with a bloodied face, nods. The players break.
COACHES BOX - MONITOR
The huddle is ON MONITOR. Camera pulls back. Betsy holds
Ritchie near glass, eyes the field below. Dye approaches.
COACH PAT DYE
Just wanted to meet his wife and
baby. See divine intervention.
A concierge leads Betsy away as Dye puts on his headset.
FIELD LEVEL
Stashik charges like an animal up the middle and we witness
the collisions from his eyes and then his eyes shut.
BLACKNESS
Football voices and sounds are heard all jumbled.
BACK IN JORDAN HARE FOOTBALL STADIUM - FIELD LEVEL
Stashik on the ground, opens his eyes. The referee comes to
him. Stashik nods he’s good & looks to the stands and sees..
STADIUM SEATING
..Betsy/Ritchie squeezing through to her seat near Helen.
FIELD LEVEL
Stashik turns his focus back to the field and roars. He is
the leader now. The whistle blows.
COACHES BOX - MONITOR
David Housel and the Boosters watch the monitor. Stashik
pumps his arms after a brutal tackle on a runner.
LOWDER
Mr. Irrelevant’s a goldmine.
FIELD LEVEL
The atmosphere is violent as Stashik points assertively.
STASHIK
Number two! Number two!
The ball is snapped & Stashik barrels down the middle in a
MASSIVE collision of players. Refs blow whistles.
The crowd noise deafening as Georgia players do the #1 sign.
Stashik slowly gets up from beneath the pile and holds his
shoulder as he looks toward the Auburn sideline.
Wayne Hall stares at Stashik, staring back at him.
Referees blow whistles for a timeout.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Auburn uses their final timeout.
This has been one tough battle.
Georgia players taunt Stashik as he holds his shoulder and
hurries to Auburn’s frantic and desperate sideline.
AUBURN SIDELINE/GEORGIA SIDELINE
The Auburn Eagle, in a cage on the sideline, spreads it’s
wings as Stashik runs up, hunched in pain.
Georgia players are cheering #5 on their sideline.
ANNOUNCER # 2 (O.S.)
This game is going to the wire!
Auburn players run up to the sideline. A trainer rushes to
Stashik’s side. There is desperate commotion in Hall’s voice.
COACH WAYNE HALL
You get that shoulder put back in!
Georgia players gather around their coach as the crowd rages.
The Auburn sideline is a scene of wild commotion. Bennie, in
an ankle cast hobbles past a sweat and blood stained Stashik.
TRAINER
This is a serious shoulder injury.
STASHIK
Pull it and wrap it tight.
TRAINER
No way you can take an impact.
Bennie looks at Stashik and then at his knee and grins.
STASHIK
This is my last play. Wrap it.
Reluctantly, the trainer pulls. Stashik writhes in pain.
GEORGIA SIDELINE
The coach frantically and harshly talks to his players.
GEORGIA COACH
We need a bigger team effort.
Playing soft isn’t going to work
here.
The players roar.
AUBURN SIDELINE
The referees whistle. Stashik is taped and his pads go on.
TRAINER
I’ll have the ambulance stand by.
STASHIK
What about the tooth fairy?
Stashik, grins, wiggles his tooth as Coach Hall grabs him.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Get it knocked out. I need bigger
hits. Are you good enough?
STASHIK
I don’t know. I don’t know.
COACH WAYNE HALL
Are you good enough?
STASHIK
I am. I am good enough!
COACH WAYNE HALL
Then finish this!
Stashik charges on field to a crazed crowd giving way to..
.. an emotionless Wayne, staring from the sideline.
GEORGIA SIDELINE
The Georgia coach yells his players onto the field.
The Auburn mascot does body flips across the Georgia side and
past the referees, signaling the start of the clock.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Georgia clearly not scoring enough
points on turnovers but has led
with a fierce running attack.
ON FIELD
The Georgia QB gets the snapped ball and is demolished..
.. by Auburn’s swarming defense and #58. From above..
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
How is this defense still going?
..players are in hurry up mode. The ball is snapped.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
ANNOUNCER
There goes Hearst. Wing left. He
takes a pitch. He’s going to throw!
FIELD LEVEL
Hearst tucks the ball, runs and stiff arms #58 to the ground,
then dodges a few other players before being tackled.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Number 58 took a big forearm.
AUBURN SIDELINE
On the Auburn sideline, Wayne Hall shakes his head.
STADIUM SEATING
In the stands Lydia cowers in embarrassment. Doris stands up.
DORIS
Stash!
Lydia stares at Doris. She has SPOKEN! Doris has a moment.
Fans thunder as Betsy gasps as..
MIDFIELD
..Stashik is punished by several blockers on an end around.
His shoulder is in pain and he grabs one of his own players.
STADIUM SEATING
Mad-Dog and Joy cringe in their seats.
MIDFIELD
Stashik gets his footing and nastily motions to Hearst.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
ANNOUNCER #2
Auburn defense is not backing down.
ANNOUNCER #1
A mist of rain seems to be forming.
FIELD LEVEL
The players are lined up. The Georgia quarterback calls the
play and looks at Stashik and Auburn’s defense.
The ball is snapped. The D-line violently smashes the O-line.
Stashik crushes the quarterback in a handoff to Hearst.
GEORGIA SIDELINE
The Georgia Coach looks on a little concerned as the..
FIELD LEVEL
..Georgia QB hands off to #5. Stashik and the Auburn D are..
..in full pursuit of #5. Stashik wallops Hearst as he leaps.
The crowd erupts in a wild roar.
Hearst bounces like a ping pong ball, and runs the other way
and is smashed to the ground in a sandwich tackle.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Auburn coaches are wild on the sideline as..
FIELD LEVEL
..the refs run to the pile up as players skirmish.
Stashik bellows and taunts the Bulldogs.
Jets roar overhead, revealing the scoreboard clock showing
01:37 in the fourth quarter. 21-14
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
The announcer stands up in fright.
ANNOUNCER
Oh what a hit! Wow!
FIELD LEVEL.
Stashik gets WHACKED and slammed on the ground.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Auburn’s D has to be wearing down.
AUBURN SIDELINE
On the sideline, Wayne stares and Daniels is excited as..
FIELD LEVEL
..Stashik gets into Georgia’s backfield, smashes the QB down.
Stash taunts Hearst. Hearst starts a fight with Stashik.
Georgia punts the ball as an..
..Auburn punt returner morphs into an Auburn receiver
catching a pass and smashed down in the end zone.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Players and coaches are thrilled.
SCOREBOARD - Georgia 21 Auburn 21. 01:09 4th Qtr.
GEORGIA SIDELINE/AUBURN SIDELINE
Georgia players rally around the coach. The crowd goes nuts.
Auburn coaches & Wayne are frantic on the sideline as the..
FIELD LEVEL
..Georgia receiver is pummeled down by #58 after the catch.
Chains are moved to the 40 yard line as a..
..Georgia RB is smashed after a gain of fifteen.
Chains are moved to the 45 yard line as the crowd apes!
GEORGIA SIDELINE
Players on the Georgia sideline are going crazy.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
What a match-up. Number fifty eight
shows no signs of slowing down!
BACK ON FIELD LEVEL
A devastating hit and tackle by Stashik sees him viciously
hit the ground & smashing his shoulder. He’s in severe pain.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
How is he holding up is beyond me!
The refs run to Stashik as he stands slowly, fists clenched.
GEORGIA/AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne stands still and looks toward Stashik. Auburn coaches
are concerned on their sideline.
Georgia coaches are excited on their sidelines now as..
ON FIELD
A Georgia receiver makes a catch at the 35 and gives way to..
..the chains moving to the 35 yard line of Auburn.
SCOREBOARD CLOCK 00:49 and ticking.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Stashik is smashed on the sideline near Hall. Hall fierce!
COACH WAYNE HALL
Ya quittin’ on me now?
Stash, slow getting up, looks to Wayne. His face in pain.
STASHIK
Never.
He puts the #1 finger up. Wayne’s lip trembles. Fans go wild.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
There’s no way to stop this running
attack now! Auburn’s D is worn out!
SCOREBOARD CLOCK - :42...:41..40 Georgia 21 Auburn 21.
GEORGIA SIDELINE
Georgia players are wildly excited and give the #1 finger
sign to the fans on their side of the stadium.
STADIUM SEATING
The crowds go crazy as the wave circles the stadium and
passes Joy with Mad-Dog in the student section.
Betsy stands, holding Ritchie. Lydia eyes Helen. Doris quiet.
FIELD LEVEL
Georgia pounds the middle. Stashik is knocked over by a RB.
The chains move. The crowd roars as..
..a Georgia receiver catches over the middle, WHAM! #58 slams
him down at the 13 yard line.
The chains are lined up at the 13 yard line.
Scoreboard clock, 00:31 seconds and counting.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
There are no more time outs!
Georgia’s kicker is ruled out.
GEORGIA AND AUBURN SIDELINES
The Georgia coach and the Georgia sideline go crazy.
Auburn’s sideline goes crazy.
FIELD LEVEL
The scoreboard shows 21-21 with 00:25 seconds left.
The bulldogs rush back to the line.
STADIUM LEVEL
The entire stadium is on its feet, stomping and cheering.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
This is going down to the wire!
Marching band drums in the b.g. and thunder give way to...
THE SKY
DARK grey clouds rumble across the sky. Rain pouring down.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Rain’s coming down hard now!
BACK ON FIELD LEVEL
Georgia snaps the ball, hands off to #5.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
Oh, what a hit! Right at the one-
yard line! Wow!
#58, Stashik, stonewalls Hearst at the one. Bodies pile.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
The clock is still ticking. The
refs haven’t stopped the clock!
The scoreboard clock is at 00:13 and counting down.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Coaches motion frantically...
FIELD LEVEL
...as players quickly unpile and run to the line.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
They’re hurrying to the line.
Scrambling all over the field. It’s
gonna be close. Ten..nine..eight..
Auburn’s #58 with a bloodied mouth, loose tooth, and a face
full of grass, lines up, determined.
AUBURN SIDELINE
The Auburn Football mascot jeers at the crowd.
SCOREBOARD :07... :06...
STADIUM SEATING LEVEL
Fans with banners run near the crazy student section.
FIELD LEVEL
#58 looks at the scoreboard clock ticking down :05... :04...
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
Can the Bulldogs pull off a final
play at the goal line?
Stashik, at LB, battered, glances into the stands, finding
Betsy, who clutches Ritchie, she nods. Stashik is fierce.
STASHIK
I’m not afraid anymore Eddie!
Stashik’s eyes harden, the blood dripping on his face, the
dirt and mud smeared. He turns as the Georgia QB says “hut”.
Stashik lets out a primal roar.
The Bulldogs snap the ball.
The scoreboard clock strikes 00:00.
Bloodied #58 charges relentlessly into oncoming runners as...
...the stadium crowd goes berserk!
A massive, violent hit—
Auburn #58 detonates into Georgia #5.
Stashik’s helmet twists-
his smashed face cringes-
His tooth and mouth guard exit his bloodied mouth in a red
arc.
His blue comb tumbles from his helmet-
Spinning like a helicopter blade.
Blood droplets float in slow motion.
The tooth & mouth guard fly past us-
land, bouncing on the grassy field, and rolling-
To a stop side by side.
Blood droplets crash to the grass and the blue comb, lands
beside. More droplets hit like rain on a grave.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
What a hit! What a..! Wait! There’s
a fumble! There’s a fumble! He got
the ball!
Players crash everywhere in mad desperation for a football
that has taken on a life of its own, rolling and bouncing...
...right into the hands of #58, who scoops it and runs.
ANNOUNCER BOOTH
ANNOUNCER
He’s at the ten! He broke the
tackles! The twenty! The thirty!
FIELD LEVEL
#58 barrels through one tackle—
then detonates his shoulder into another, running over him.
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
I don’t believe it!
AUBURN SIDELINE
Coach Wayne Hall flails toward the end zone.
STADIUM SEATING
The stadium crowd is on its feet, going completely bananas.
COACHES BOX
Dye, Boosters, President and A.D. look at the field below.
ANNOUNCER #2 (O.S.)
He’s at midfield! The forty,
thirty..
FIELD LEVEL
#58 cuts downfield, runs over tacklers, & displays a burst of
speed that leaves tacklers missing & two speedsters to beat.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Wayne Hall stares, emotionless.
FIELD LEVEL
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
He’s going straight for the
tacklers. It’s going..
Stashik charges toward the blind side tacklers.
AUBURN/GEORGIA SIDELINE
The coaches on Auburn’s sideline yell “Nooo!”.
The coaches on Georgia's sideline are screaming as two
tacklers for the Bulldogs are closing in...
ANNOUNCER #1 (O.S.)
..to be close. The twenty! The ten!
A collision on the goal and...
ON FIELD
...and #58 barrels into two violent tacklers and an explosion
of pads into the end zone.
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
Touchdown Auburn! Unbelievable!
STADIUM SEATING
The crowd erupts as we blend “American Trilogy Drums”.
AUBURN SIDELINE
Auburn’s coaches, wild with excitement, run onto the field.
STADIUM SEATING
Betsy clutches Ritchie, waving his feathers. Lydia & Helen
cheer, drums beat wildly and musical notes of trumpets blast.
ElVIS MUSIC
Glory glory hallelujah...
Maddog and Joy in another section cheer wildly.
FIELD LEVEL - END ZONE
Players jump on #58 in celebration.
Ga. players are shocked, their coach throws his headphones.
Stashik, bloodied and exhausted, looks to the sideline.
Bennie, ankle cast on, stands with a tight jaw staring. Their
eyes lock. Bennie gives a slow, nod of respect. Stashik, nods
back as the rain washes the blood away, he turns to the fans.
The Auburn mascot and the fans pour onto the field.
Auburn players celebrate with fans that pour in the end zone
as the entire field fills with football fanatics.
ELVIS MUSIC
His truth is marching on.
COACHES BOX
Coach Dye, announcers, and wives celebrate. Lowder grins and
looks below in the middle of Jordan Hare Football Stadium.
FIELD LEVEL
Wayne shows a smile as a tidal wave of fans surrounding #58,
with bloodied face raising his helmet screaming with rabid
fans and players surrounding him as we pull back and..
ELVIS MUSIC
His truth is marching on.
..the entire field fills with people surrounding Stashik.
Form above, the crowd begins to swirl, draining into..
..an Auburn Insignia (AU) at Midfield. The insignia fades to
darkness and then, slowly begins to glow into a golden light.
Genres:
["Sports","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
A Sweet Farewell and New Beginnings
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM - EPILOGUE
Cherry orchards glow in golden light.
A “Bubble Pop Lolli Pop”, truck pulls away down the dirt
path.
Stashik, Betsy and Ritchie wave from the dirt path.
Rocko’s truck follows, loaded with packing boxes. He rides in
the driver’s seat. Stashik, Betsy, and Ritchie wave from the
cherry-lined path.
The truck suddenly hits the brakes, gravel popping.
Stashik squints.
Rocko leans out the window, that same wild-but-warmer face
now settled with a strange pride. He speaks softer than ever.
ROCKO
World takes, Stash. Sometimes a
man’s gotta take somethin’ back.
A beat.
Stashik smiles, understanding it now means something else.
Rocko taps the truck roof and drives off.
EXT. BUBBLE POP SODA POP FARMS - FRUIT SHACK - GRAND OPENING
A banner reads “Grand Opening”. Locals line up at the shack.
Aunt Helen hands out mason jars of red soda.
Betsy hands Ritchie a jar. He sips, bubbles spilling.
Hiram, trimmer, munches an apple nearby.
HIRAM
From scrubs to stars pops.
Stashik is signing the mason jars for customers.
STASHIK
Same team, Hiro.
RADIO ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
…and in the final pick in this
years NFL draft..
Crowd cheers, o.s. Stash grins at Betsy. She takes his hand.
Genres:
["Sports Drama","Family Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
A Sunset of Remembrance and Joy
EXT. CHERRYVILLE CEMETERY - SUNSET
Stashik drapes an American flag over Richard’s headstone.
Betsy watches. Ritchie places three feathers on the stone.
Doris hands Stashik a sketch: his touchdown run.
DORIS
Stash..ik.
Smiles as Lydia and Eddie join. Eddie steadies on a cane.
Stashik turns and smiles.
Bubbles the cow ambles up. Bell clinking.
They stand together, family united.
Stashik eyes the horizon and the farm beyond.
EXT. BUBBLE POP FARM
Under the cherry tree archway, Stashik and Betsy are married.
Stashik accepts the ring from the ring bearer, Ritchie, then
he places the small diamond ring on her finger.
Betsy cries and turns to a Stashik. They kiss. A long kiss.
The family cheers.
They drive away through the farm in a fully restored ’54 Bel
Air—
JUST MARRIED sign rattling, cans dragging behind.