Buddy, you're gonna learn
to get under anything in the air.
You keep your feet underneath you, you catch these rockets,
well dang, you're gonna be able to catch anything,
you understand?
Yes, sir!
You're gonna be the best football player
this town has ever seen, you're gonna put in the time.
Ready?
Set.
Hut, hut.
Eyes up, son.
Combination of hard work and desire equals what?
The best!
Who's going to state someday?
I am!
Who's that? I am!
Who's the best there is around here?
Josh Davis!
You know it, buddy.
That's me right there, buddy.
We had a team that year.
Anybody that's ever won a state championship in football
is right there.
And someday, you're gonna be up there with me, too.
Can you see it?
I can see it because when I look at you, Josh,
I see greatness, it's in here.
Can you feel it?
Robert, that's enough.
Ooh!
Did you say your prayers, honey?
Mm-hm. Good boy.
Good night, sweetheart, I love you.
Good night, son.
Dad.
I don't know if you can see me,
but can you help me be great?
I'm supposed to be great.
It's for my dad.
- Go ahead, mcneil, do your thing.
Let's go, let's go!
All right, somebody falls in line, right here.
Ready, set-hut!
There it is, come on!
- Ready, set-hike!
All right, helmet time, let's line 'em up!
- Coach d, what's the right side?
- Alpha!
Alpha!
Get you on the line right here.
Ready, set-hike!
Man, that kid you got throwin' the ball, coach,
he's a play maker.
You're gonna need it.
Well, he's only a part of the equation.
Let's go, 88!
Tell you what, the ball's in the air, 88's gonna catch it.
That's your boy Josh out there, isn't it, coach?
Sure is, I've been workin' long and hard for this.
Bring it in, let's go boys.
Helmets off, take a knee, listen up.
Now I trust you've got your schedules for the fall semester,
if not, get it done.
Not only am I your coach for the next four years,
I'm a beloved teacher as well.
The more I know you in the classroom,
the better I can coach you on the field.
I want high test scores, high football scores,
how's that sound?
- Yes, sir.
You heard the man, you need to get into the classroom.
This little plop and flush
is your careers goin' down the toilet
if you don't get there.
- Okay.
You got it?
- Yes, sir.
- What's that, I can't hear you?
- Yes, sir!
Good, great practice today.
Pick a partner, spot each other,
I want 30 minutes of weights before you hit the showers.
Summer's just beginning, gentlemen.
Before September, this team's gonna be more than ready.
Put in the time.
Yeah, you heard the coach!
Get your butts up there, get your lifts goin',
put in the damn time!
So I guess we can start callin' you a quarterback now.
Don't lift too heavy, you need to protect your perfect arm.
And his perfect hair.
Shut up, Ryan.
Fine.
I won't protect your hair.
Whatever, man.
Any of us could be at qb.
Throw the ball some more around baby coach,
he's gonna catch it.
Am I right?
That's right.
So you're the king out there, is that it?
You think you can get us to state?
Well, I'm not a king, but uh,
I will be the best when it comes to football.
The best this school's ever seen anyway.
And I don't think, Sam.
I know I can get us to state.
How'd you learn to catch like that?
His dad's the coach, idiot.
He's been catching footballs since birth.
Nah, you guys don't get it.
It's all in the feet.
The speed, the agility.
I'd love to see you catch with your feet, Terry.
All right, ladies, you're done for the day.
Let's get down and get the showers going.
Oh, remember, get some underarm deodorant on 'em.
I'm sure sure your parents will appreciate that
at the dinner table.
Sir.
Josh.
Coach needs to see you outside.
- Took you long enough to do your hair.
- Dude, I got a reputation to uphold.
Have you seen some of those girls this year?
I don't, yeah, but.
Whoa.
All right, I'm ready. You good?
Yeah.
Ready, hike.
Ready, set-hike!
- Nice, that's what we need right there, perfect.
- Josh, are we doin' this or what, come on?
- What's so funny?
What?
Come on, you wanna play?
- Seriously?
- Yeah.
Come on, one play, I'll guide you.
Josh, what are you doing, they're not even on our team.
Just one play, all right, buddy?
Hey. Hi.
I'm Josh.
Uh, I know.
You know?
How?
We've seen you at the summer camp.
You're really good.
I'm workin' on it.
My dad says you'll be able to go to any college you want
the way you play.
He says the team could win state this year
with almost all freshmen.
So you're going to central this year, too?
For the love of god, Josh, give her a kiss or somethin'.
Let's play.
What's your name?
Sophie kirkman.
Okay, Sophie kirkman, you ever catch a football before?
Nope.
Well my quarterback Kyle, here,
is gonna throw you a perfect pass right down the field,
and you're gonna try get around me
and look for the ball.
- Sounds, uh, easy.
Let's go.
Ready, set-hike.
- Come on, Josh.
- Thanks for letting me play.
Yeah, no problem, you were awesome.
You are awesome, that's.
Uh, a bunch of us are going to the movies
right after the picnic.
You guys wanna come with us?
Your friends comin'?
Yeah, sounds great.
We're gonna finish this game up first, though.
Cool, I'll see you in a little bit, then.
Yeah.
Seriously, does that count for our team or yours?
We'll take it.
I'm sure all the kids are gonna really enjoy it.
Hey, dad, I need you to drive me somewhere.
Hey son, you remember meeting Mr. Logan.
He's the principal of the high school.
He's lookin' forward to watching you play this year.
I've been hearing about you for quite some time, Joshua.
Your father's a proud man.
Yeah.
I hear you're gonna be playing wide receiver for our team,
is that right?
Yeah, I think so, yeah.
Hey um, do you think you could drive us
to the movie theater?
We only have like 15 minutes to get there.
Josh, not today.
Why?
You don't even have to drive me, I can get a ride.
Hey, I'm gonna stay at Kyle's house tonight.
That's sounds good, hun, it's fine.
No son, I want you to stay and help clean up.
How wonderful, it's good seeing such great character
in a young man, it's good for the community.
Dad, all the other guys are going,
how come I have to stay?
I wasn't asking you.
You set the example for the others.
They're gonna need help loading these tables.
Dad, this isn't fair, you always do this.
I'll be back to pick you up in about an hour.
This is bullshit.
- What did you just say to me?
Nothing.
You're skating on thin ice, you understand me?
You've had fun with your friends all day today,
now put in the time.
Just let me go, this isn't fair!
I hate this, and I hate you.
Would you excuse us for a moment, Mr. Logan?
Carol.
Robert, honey.
You've got to calm down, okay?
Your blood pressure is up, you're stuttering again.
I don't stutter.
You know you stutter when you get upset, it's okay.
It's ridiculous, let's go.
Robert.
- I'll be back in about an hour to pick you up.
We'll launch some rockets at the house,
all right buddy?
- Bye, sweetie.
Your dad's a teacher, right?
Yeah.
Like a scientist or something?
He launches rockets at his house?
Yeah, he does.
That's pretty awesome.
Does he have like a secret lair
in his basement or something?
No, don't!
- Someone page neurosurge,
let ct know we're on our way.
Vitals are 110 over 70--
- I don't even know what's happened.
Rose, he fell off a moving vehicle.
He's been out for about 20 minutes.
My son Josh Davis, i was told he was here,
where is he?
Yes, sir, what's your name?
Robert Davis, I'm his father, we're his parents.
Yes, of course, he's in the er right now,
so just stay calm-- he's in the er?
And I'm sure the doctors are gonna come out
and talk to you as soon as they can.
What happened, though?
We were told he fell, is he okay?
Have you spoken to him?
Everything's gonna be all right, just stay calm.
Are you sure? Stay calm.
Stay calm?
It's not very easy to do.
- I'm sure everything's gonna be okay.
I'm gonna find my son.
Don't know what you're trying to--
Mrs. Davis, please-- Josh?
You can't go back there! Oh excuse me, I'm sorry.
No, I'm gonna find my son, Josh Davis, please.
- Please, wait!
Excuse me, excuse me, i apologize, Josh, Josh?
Please, can you tell me where my son is?
Where is Josh?
Oh my god. On standby.
Probably here in 10 minutes.
Josh!
Oh my god.
- Get them out there.
Oh, oh my baby.
Folks please, let the doctors do their work.
Let the doctors do their work.
No, no, no, no.
I'm just, I just--
they're doing everything to stabilize him.
It's okay, go.
- Paging Robert Davis.
Paging Robert Davis.
I'm Dr. reinke. Doctor.
Hi, I was just working with your son.
Is he okay, can we see him please?
Um, in a minute.
However, I need to give you some details first.
- Okay.
Perhaps we could sit.
No, we're fine, please.
Okay.
Um, Josh has suffered a pretty severe head injury.
He has a concussion and a fracture of the skull.
Do you have any idea of what happened, doctor?
We were just with him, and we don't know.
I was told he apparently either fell or jumped from
a moving vehicle.
That's two.
It does seem that he landed on his feet,
but the momentum caused him to fall backwards,
and his head made impact with the pavement.
Is he awake?
He's not awake yet, ma'am.
This is a severe head injury.
Okay.
He has had minimal concussion,
and in the next few days, as the swelling goes down,
and we can repeat some ct scans,
we may find that there is more damage
we don't know about yet.
He's also wearing a brace around his neck
because of the whiplash.
He has the large cuts on the back of his head--
I wanna see him.
We need to see him.
We really wanna see him, doctor.
No, of course you do.
Please come with me.
- Thank you.
Right this way, please.
Oh, Robert.
Damn it, Josh.
Wake up, son.
Did you hear me, I said wake up!
Wake up!
Excuse me, Mr. Davis, Mrs. Davis.
I want you to know that with time,
I do believe Josh is gonna get better, okay?
He's young, he's strong,
and we got the bleeding stopped very soon.
But he needs to rest now, can you please come with me?
Let's give it some time.
Please, come with me.
Doctor, is he.
He's a football player,
well he's going to be a football player.
He's the best there is, he's a warrior.
He's gonna come through this.
Thank you.
Well, um, let's give him the night to rest.
We're monitoring him closely.
We'll know a lot more in the morning.
We're gonna be staying.
We need to stay, we need to be here when he wakes up.
Absolutely, absolutely.
You could wait here in the waiting room,
or there is a hotel across the street if you need to--
we'll be right here.
Yeah.
He's a tough young man.
He's gonna wake up soon.
I'll give you a call as soon as I have more information.
Oh, Robert.
Sir, please.
We need to keep these on.
W-what is this?
You're awake, that's good,
but we need to keep these on, okay?
Is this Wednesday?
Actually, it's a Friday.
Can you look at me?
No.
Doctor!
Well, look who decided to join us.
Oh, Josh!
Josh, you're awake!
Oh, honey, sweetie.
Mom?
Yeah, honey, are you okay?
You had a bad fall, and you hit your head really hard,
but you are okay now.
My head hurts.
Oh, I know.
Josh, I'm Dr. reinke, one of the docs takin' care of you.
I'm gonna check some things out on you, okay?
All right, can you see me?
Look right here.
Purple.
Mm, passion.
An end zone.
Can you say those back to me?
Purple, passion, end zone.
Very good, you got one point.
All right, now what's your full name?
Joshua Brandon Davis.
And the judgment is?
That is correct. All right.
That's another point.
Now, what kind of place is this?
Uh, a hospital, I think.
Mm-hm, good.
What day is it?
Is this Wednesday?
Listen, I'll ask the questions, but it's Friday.
I'll give you that one for free.
Now, who do we have in the room here with you?
- That's my dad.
Yeah.
And over here?
That's my mom.
Yeah.
She's laughing.
Yeah, that's because she's so happy
to see you awake and talking to us.
So how do you feel?
My head hurts.
And I can't move my neck and my eyes hurt.
Well, the neck is easily explainable,
you've got this clunky thing called a brace around you.
It's keeping you from moving on purpose.
But there's other parts i want you to move.
Toes, fingers, can you make 'em move?
Ha, that's the best dance move you ever made.
I'm real glad to see that, i think you're gonna be okay.
Uh, those three words i had you repeat.
You remember any of 'em?
End zone.
That's a start.
You're gonna be all right.
Here and here, what we see on your occipital bone
is a non-displaced fracture,
meaning a break that didn't shift around.
And then we got the wound stitched over it
stitched up really nicely,
so it's all gonna heal up really well.
That part doesn't worry me.
However, over here, right there, right there, right there.
Here's what happened.
When you came off that trailer, your momentum was so fast,
that the impact of your head hitting the ground
made your brain dance around.
The front of your brain smacked into the inside
of your forehead, causing swelling of your frontal lobe.
So I bruised my brain?
I have a bruise on my brain.
Yeah, that's a very good way to put it.
Just like you can bruise your knee if you fell on it,
your brain is made out of soft tissue,
so you bruised it.
So what does that mean, what can we do?
Like any bruise, you just have to let it heal.
Now of course, you need to give it time to do so,
which means that the rest of this summer
is gonna be devoted to just resting.
But I'll be okay by the fall, right?
My football team starts playing in the fall.
I'm in high school this year,
it's my first high school season.
Josh.
I'm afraid there's not gonna be any football.
What?
What do you mean?
I believe you will fully recover,
but this is a very serious injury.
Dad, talk to him, tell him!
What about next season?
Any contact sport would be so dangerous
after what you've just been through.
All it would take is one more hit.
I'm taking this seriously,
and I need you to take this seriously, too.
And that means boxing, wrestling, hockey.
Definitely football.
Look, I'm sorry, I know this is so difficult for you--
no you don't!
How could you know, you don't know anything.
Josh.
No, I'm supposed to play football, please no.
I could play another position, any other position,
I'll be fine.
Josh, it's okay. No, get off of me!
I'm supposed to play football.
Please, tell him, tell him!
Tell him I'm supposed top play football!
Tell him!
Please no.
You feelin' okay?
- Yeah, I think so.
Okay.
You're home, honey.
Okay.
Be careful, take it easy.
Good, that's it, good, good.
Now the doctor says you need to keep sitting upright, honey,
even when you're in bed.
My head hurts.
Aw, okay. I have such a headache.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Okay, sit down in here.
Rest, that's what you really need.
Can I get you anything?
You want some water?
No.
Okay.
You rest for a while, okay sweetie?
Son?
I was supposed to play.
To be the best and that's what I thought.
You could've been.
- Bring those throws down.
- Come on, bring him up, next guy, next guy.
Wait, I can do that.
Hey you.
Hey.
You're good at cheerleading and football.
That's rare.
I think I like football better than I like cheering.
Maybe you could play my position.
I think you'd be good at it.
I heard what happened that day.
I just.
I can't believe it.
Yeah, it's pretty crazy.
I'm so sorry.
- Yeah.
Uh, I made you this.
I know it's dorky, or whatever, but I made it for you
while you were in the hospital.
You made this?
Thank you, it's awesome.
What do you think?
Looks perfect.
- All right.
Well, I'm glad you're okay.
I've gotta get back.
See you around, yeah?
Yeah.
Maybe we could still catch that movie sometime.
I'd like that.
Football team looks like winners this year.
What do you think?
I mean, my dad's the coach.
Robert Davis.
He coaches winners, that's what he does.
Yeah, I know.
You're Josh, his son, right?
- Yeah.
I'm Mr. Olsen, I'm part of the faculty here at central.
You're a teacher?
Oh, I'm a guidance counselor actually,
but I'm also the coach of the cross country team.
You interested?
- What?
Well, I saw you watching,
I thought you might be interested.
Oh uh, no.
I understood you were quite the football player,
quite the athlete.
I know what happened, Josh.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry you can't play.
Look, you don't have to talk to me,
or do anything you don't wanna do.
But maybe you could run with us.
Who knows?
Running?
Top seven guys on my team
have a chance at state this year.
There's state championships for cross country?
- That's right.
So it's just a race.
Right again, five kilometers.
- How long is that?
Eh, it's a little over three miles.
Three miles?
You run three miles in a row?
Well, I don't, but the team does on race day.
Wow.
I tell you what, you wanna check it out,
practice is tomorrow at 3 P.M.
No, I'm good.
Okay.
Well, hope to see you 'round school.
Science is not an app on your smartphone.
If you'd have told me 20 years ago
that every student was gonna have their phone with them
all the time, I'd have pegged you
as a science fiction writer.
Don't even get me started on their writing skills.
Well, maybe you should make them write more
in the classroom, it is your classroom.
Are you even listening to what I'm saying?
I'm not talking about their writing skills, Carol.
How about you, Josh?
Are you ready for the ninth grade?
You're looking so much better, honey.
Honey, did you hear me?
How do you feel about cross country?
Dad?
What's that, cross country?
It's not for him.
Why?
It's not for him, it's long distance running.
Besides, doctor's orders, no sports.
If you consider running a sport.
The doctor said no contact sports.
He's not built for it.
Long distance running, it's not for anybody.
I don't know what coach Olsen's doing out there, anyway.
I can run, I can try.
So it's just running?
Where?
No, they frolic in the woods.
The woods?
That sounds dangerous.
It's not for him.
You should focus on school, maybe drama club.
I'd be worried about your injury.
Alone in the woods?
I'm worried about my injury.
I'm worried about my injury!
But I have to do something.
I have to try.
Sit down.
I'm finished.
I said sit down.
Robert.
It's just not good for you, with your head.
You outweigh those guys 10, 15 pounds.
I'm trying to save you the embarrassment.
I'm finished, may I be excused?
Josh, honey.
- He's not built for it.
Long distance running, it's not for everybody.
- We're trying to get our son to do it,
but he's just resisting.
I can run.
Switch legs, guys, good job.
Hey, I thought you might show up.
I told you I wasn't interested.
Well then what can we do for you?
I'd like to try out for the team.
- You would?
- Yeah.
Okay.
All right, well see that sports bag over there,
why don't you run over there,
grab that bottle of water, and run it back, okay?
Yeah, go ahead.
All right, all right, relax.
Ah.
Congratulations, you made the team.
He's gonna run with us at seven?
He's a football player, coach.
Well football players have legs, don't they?
Then they can run.
Everybody, this is Josh Davis.
He's a freshman this year, just like some of you,
and he wants to run with us.
So we should be grateful for that.
Josh, you can take a seat right over here next to Chad.
Follow him through the stretches since he knows them all.
Nice shoes.
What do you have written on your shoes?
That's his call sign.
Coach has everybody pick one, it's like their own Nick name.
I'm Adam.
That's a cool wrist band.
Switch.
Wait, if your name's Adam,
why does it say Jack on your shoe?
Like Jack skeleton, from that movie?
It's 'cause I'm so skinny, get it?
Wait, so speed and Jack skeleton.
Okay.
- So um, Josh, you ever run before?
Like, you know, run?
Yeah, I was a wide receiver.
I used to run all the time.
Then why aren't you on the football team?
Something about me bein' to fast, I don't know.
Okay, boys.
Today, you're gonna be doing the back loop
just like yesterday, all right.
Four times around, that includes the soccer field.
What does that include, gentlemen?
- Soccer field.
Thank you.
Girls, you'll be doing this side loop back here.
The goal of the day is to stay together as a team, okay?
Chad, you lead the boys,
I'll be checkin' in on both teams.
Let's go!
So, four times around?
That doesn't sound that bad.
How far is just one time?
Uh, two and a half miles.
No, but how far is just one time.
What?
Can I sit here?
You want our seats?
No, just the one.
Is that cool?
So, how's your legs?
They're good.
Yeah, we saw you walking over here.
It was slower than yesterday's practice.
Hey, what was that for?
Leave him alone, man.
He ran the 10 miles, just like the rest of us.
Plus, if he wanted to, he could break you in half.
You don't wanna do that, do you?
Not yet.
Did you guys get double servings or something?
Gotta load up on carbs.
Yeah, it's a perk of cross country, Josh.
You can pretty much eat whatever you want.
It's for the running.
But you guys are so small.
Yeah, we burn about 2,010 calories every practice,
so we need the glycogen source for it.
Are you eating a whole box of cereal right now?
Yeah, do you want some?
I got another box.
That's okay, thank you.
Man.
I wish I could talk to a girl like that.
Yeah right, Adam, I dare you.
No way.
Why can't you guys talk to her?
Dude, are you kidding me?
Just look at her.
Why don't I go talk to her for you?
For what?
She would never talk to us.
You should do it, Josh.
She might like you.
You think so?
Let's find out.
No way.
Hey, you.
Josh, what happened?
What'd she say?
You guys were right, she wouldn't talk to me.
I'll see you guys at practice.
Okay guys, I know it's quick,
but our first race is tomorrow.
It's gonna be a dual meet, we're gonna host it here.
It's gonna be a great opportunity for us
to see where we stand.
We're gonna show 'em what we got this year okay?
It'll be an awesome opportunity
for the top seven guys and the top seven girls
to compete for the varsity spots on the team.
We want to run together as a unit.
When you're racing,
the longer that you can see your own teammate
in front of you,
the more likely you are ahead of the other team's number.
Does everybody understand?
What does he mean, top seven?
Is there only seven guys on the team?
Yeah, without you, we wouldn't qualify to run.
The team needs seven.
So I'm seven?
What's your number, Adam?
I'm not sure yet.
I'll find out Thursday.
Can anybody be any number?
Yeah, it's whoever's the fastest, and it goes from there.
But even the number one number
needs the number seven to win as a team.
Today, we're gonna be Indian running.
Relax, relax, you'll be fine.
All right, doesn't matter if you're number one,
number three, number seven.
Everybody stay together as a team, okay?
For a refresher for those of you
who don't know what Indian running is,
you run in a straight line,
the person at the back of the line
sprints up to the front, falls into pace,
and then the next person at the back goes,
so on and so forth, okay?
Easy enough?
- Is it easy?
No.
All right, let's do it, on the track, come on.
Come on, Josh.
Right now, buddy, let's go.
Dude!
There's that speed.
Nice one.
Just don't waste it all.
We're doing this for like 90 minutes.
I'm running tomorrow.
It's the first race.
You can come if you want.
I've got practice after school Josh, you know that.
I'll make it if I can.
Yeah.
Make sure you tell your mother when you go.
You're not, you're not racing in those, are you?
It's all I got.
Those are gonna be heavy, dude.
Don't let anybody spike you.
Yeah man, be careful.
I'll be fine, I think.
Okay guys, first race, here we go.
Everybody just relax, it's gonna be fine, all right?
We're expecting Chad to be out front,
so whoever's at number two, all right,
just keep Chad in sight as long as you can.
Whoever's at three, stay with two and so on down the line.
It's just running.
Keep it simple, and it will be, okay?
All right, hands in, team on three, here we go.
One, two, three.
- Team!
Relax, Josh.
It's just running.
You nervous?
A little, you?
Shit yeah.
Oh, good.
- Runners, to your marks.
That's it, Chad, that's it, pal.
Number one, baby, number one!
Mile one, done!
Hey!
Nice job, good job Brett, good job, Brett.
That's six.
Only the football star's left.
He's walkin'.
I knew he started too fast.
He better not be in the cart.
Let's go, Josh Davis!
Let's go, Josh Davis, pick up those feet!
You're finishing this race, let's go, all the way!
Let's go, let's go, let's go!
It's right here, that's what you do,
you finish races.
Nice job!
All the way through.
- Good job.
That's seven.
All right.
You okay?
Hey, you finished.
Don't sit like that too long.
Hey, well let's stretch right here.
Mr. Olsen?
You wanted to see me?
Yeah, come in, take a seat.
You can call me coach.
Classes good so far today?
Did a great job yesterday.
What do you mean, i came in last place.
Did you finish the race?
Yeah, but what does that--
did you finish the race?
Okay, have you ever run like that before?
Exactly, so I'll say it again.
You did a great job yesterday.
Mr. Olsen, I know you have to have seven guys
to get to state,
and I know you have to tell me I'm doing fine and all that.
No I don't, Josh.
I don't have to tell you you're doing fine.
Right, well.
I just don't think we have a chance at state
if I'm your seventh guy.
Well, there's a lot of training left.
Now you know what the races are gonna be like,
you just have to put in the time.
You can only get better from here, Josh.
What did you say?
You can only get better.
No, before that, you just said I had to put in the time.
That's right.
My dad used to say that about football.
He used to tell me every day.
Well, he's right, isn't he?
Let me ask you something,
when you were planning to play football,
how much did you play?
How often would you say you practiced?
Every day, all day, all the time.
How come?
I was great.
I was the best, i thought I gonna--
why do you think you were great?
My dad.
My dad knew I was a great player.
He knew I had talent.
That's admirable, but that's the wrong answer.
You were great at football because you put in the time.
You played over and over every day.
I think it was wonderful it was your dad's idea,
but he wasn't the one doing the work
that it takes to be great.
Now let me tell you something else,
it takes a lot more than talent to be great at anything.
So what are you saying?
I'm saying that we both know football is over now.
But the great part doesn't have to be.
You can still be great, Josh.
I know this isn't how you thought it would be,
but life is like that sometimes.
If you want it, if you're willing to put in the time
with running just like you did with football,
I think you'll get the same results.
You're not just a great football player.
Is that what you called me in here for?
No.
I wanted to get you these.
They might help, the blue ones there are for practice,
and the spikes are for the races, okay?
Thanks.
And I'm sure the guys told you about my call sign rule,
I want you to pick something out for yourself.
Okay.
Hey, Mr. Olsen?
Do you think I can actually run with the other guys?
Like, that we'd have a chance at state?
I think that part's up to you, Josh.
Hey.
Oh hey, what's up?
You're not quitting, are you?
What?
No, I just.
I thought about it.
But you're not.
Some of us, we thought, maybe after yesterday.
I was that bad, huh?
No, no I thought you were really great.
You know, cross country's the first sport I've done
where you can get in last
and people still tell you you did great.
So what'd you talk to coach about?
Oh, he just gave me some shoes.
Good, don't quit, we need you.
The boys team, I mean.
Did you pick a nickname yet?
Not yet, but what's yours, by the way?
Sunny.
Uh, my mom always says my hair reminds her of the sunshine.
I guess it's kinda silly.
No, I like you.
Uh, I like the name of your hair.
Thanks.
I guess I'll see you at practice?
Yeah.
Don't quit!
All right guys, today we're gonna work on speed,
not only chasing the competitor,
but outrunning the competitor.
All right boys, you're gonna do the back loop
all the way around, and girls,
you're gonna go clear around the soccer field.
The idea today is to run as fast as you can
for the entire loop.
Okay, it's about 800 meters or so,
and you'll get a short break.
Hey, you might wanna sit out the first couple rounds.
Get some extra rest.
Might help.
Hey, how about you worry about you,
and I'll worry about me.
Okay guys, guys, enough, relax.
After 30 seconds, on my whistle,
the next runner's gonna go, all right?
Focus on trying to get the runner in front of you
in sight before the finish.
And also, don't let the runner behind you catch you, okay?
That's it, you're gonna pick a person to start,
fall in line, you're chasing,
but you're also getting chased.
And that's the essence of racing, ladies and gentlemen.
All right, let's to it, let's line it up.
If only those shoes could do the racing for you.
Maybe, just maybe
we might be able to get to state this year.
Chad!
Enough, let's line it up, let's go.
Okay, runners to your mark.
What are you doing?
I'd like to go first.
Okay, man.
Holy crap.
Look at these shit heads.
Hey, you ladies, gonna hit the weights any time soon?
Look at this, I can fit my whole hand
around this kid's bicep.
Let go.
What'd you say?
Hey, I'm asking you, kid, what'd you say?
Leave him alone.
Was I talkin' to you?
Huh?
Are you his mommy?
What?
What Josh?
What are you gonna do?
That's enough.
You're fast.
You were fast today.
Thanks.
We can use it, that burst of speed.
Yeah. Yeah man.
You just gotta get good enough
to hang around the other teams' last guys.
The other back end runners.
And then, at the end of the race--
pass 'em?
That's right, all at once.
They're distance runners.
No one has that speed.
You just gotta use it at the right time.
Okay, I'll try.
This is my senior year.
I always thought that--
state, right?
Chad?
Do you think I could ever run like you?
The way you do?
Nope.
- I still don't know how you can eat all that, Josh,
and still have room for dinner.
- It's a team thing, mom.
We have a big race tomorrow,
and I'm gonna need a lot of energy.
You'll be there, right?
I think so, yes.
I mean, this is it.
Our team could officially qualify for state meet.
Do you think you can get dad to come?
Well, Josh, you're dad's a coach,
and he has a team, too.
It's a Saturday, he can make it.
We run drills on Saturday, you know that.
Now I don't want you to eat like this anymore.
One bowl a day's plenty.
It's a running thing, dad.
There's a huge race tomorrow, you wouldn't get it.
What I do get is a paycheck to buy food for the house.
Eating like this is total waste of money.
Seven, what's that?
What?
On the back of your shirt, seven.
Oh, Mr. Olsen has his runners pick a nickname.
Like a call sign.
You picked seven?
Well I didn't pick it, I'm the seventh man.
The seventh runner on the team.
So you're the last runner.
Does first runner have one on his shirt?
No.
Oh.
What's for dinner?
Uh, not cupcakes.
You should come to my race tomorrow.
I told you, we run drills tomorrow, son.
But good luck, okay?
Dinner's in a few minutes, Josh.
There's a lot of good runners here, guys.
Crazy mile splits.
I'm sure they're all thinkin' the same thing
about you, Chad.
We just have to run like we do in practice,
keep each other in sight.
Nice, Josh.
Thanks.
You guys like it?
It's perfect.
Hey ko, how you doin'?
Hey, how are you, Scott?
Good to see you. Good to see you.
So we all know who's gonna win here today.
It's pretty much a one-team race.
Too bad you got that football kid over there.
That is too bad.
You know, maybe four years, eight years,
you'll be back.
Looks like somebody's goin' home today.
You know, I always look forward to coming here
and seeing you gentlemen.
Good luck today.
You have a great day yourself, okay?
See you, boss, take it easy.
Why don't you get in the back?
That's where you're gonna be anyway.
Hey, back off.
- What are you gonna do about it?
Look at those shoes.
The rocket?
What are you, a cartoon?
Runners, to the mark.
Feeling good?
Yeah, I feel all right.
Listen, to day is the day, all right?
You have put in the time.
You find every single one of those number seven runners,
and you pass them.
Every one, today, you got it?
I, I got it.
Let's go.
- To your mark.
Hey.
Hey, can you run?
- Yeah.
Get outta here, go.
Oh, god.
Adam, it's just that group ahead, Adam.
We have to pass them now.
Fight it.
That's it, that's it!
That's it, Chad, that's it, Chad Robinson,
come on, baby!
Number one, number one today.
That's what I'm talkin' about.
All right!
- Woo!
Where's Adam, where's Adam?
He should be right with you.
I don't know, I never saw him.
That's north's fifth guy.
Adam should've been ahead of him.
Something must've happened.
All right, well.
- Finish it!
Finish it, come on down!
Is that them?
That's them, right there.
That's them, that's it, Josh is with them!
That's them, both you guys, let's move!
All the way through!
Come here, get him up, get him up,
let's walk him out.
Come on. Let's walk him out
right over here, right over.
- You okay?
I guess.
- You finished.
I'd like to thank you all for being here
and participating in this fantastic event.
These athletes, boys and girls alike,
are truly remarkable people.
And of course, the top overall finisher
will go on to represent this great sport
at the state meet.
And our top three finishers are the lake chargers,
north high school, and central high school.
In third place, with a phenomenal performance
all year long, are the lake chargers.
In second place, with some of the fastest paced times
I've seen from them since i can remember at least,
north high!
- That's it!
And let's hear it for the falcons at central high
and their coach, Mr. Keith Olsen.
You are official state qualifiers.
That's all you guys, right there!
That's you guys.
- Yeah guys!
All right!
- Dad, you down here?
Dad, what are you doing?
Just tidying up a little bit.
Hey, we never got to use this one.
Oh that?
That's something I was gonna use in class.
I like it.
Better quality than when you were nine.
I changed my call sign.
The name on the back of the shirt.
The seven?
Yeah, I changed it.
The rocket.
I thought you'd like that.
The rocket.
I'm going to state.
The team, we are.
I made it.
I know, your mom told me.
Congratulations, Josh.
It's in one week.
Yeah, I know, I got a playoff game in a week as well.
Long season, huh?
Yeah.
Grades up?
Yeah, dad.
Math?
A.
- You're kidding.
You're a teacher at my school, dad.
I know you know what my grades are.
- Yeah, it's kinda hard
to get anything past the old man, isn't it?
That's for sure.
Do your mom a favor
and take the trash bins out from the garage, okay?
Look, I know it's not football, but I'd like you to come.
I'm gonna try to.
Well, it's a long shot, but we have a chance to win.
Good luck at your playoff game.
I don't know if this matters.
I don't know why.
But everything's different now.
If you could just help me win this race,
help my team, I know I can still do something great,
for my dad and also for me.
Anyway.
All right guys, bring it in, bring it in.
Here we go, we're here, okay, this is it,
this is state, I don't have a whole lot to say to you.
We've worked all season, this is the moment.
People are gonna lead off fast off that starting line,
don't get caught up in that.
Let's run our race, okay?
Can we actually win this, the whole thing?
Well, the probability of us coming in last
is one in seven.
How do you know that?
Isn't there only seven teams here?
Calm down, don't worry about any of that, okay?
Just clear your head and focus.
All right, mcclain,
you've been running behind Chad at number two all season,
you hang right there, everybody hang with him.
That's all we gotta do, okay?
We're only as fast as our last guy.
That's right.
We're only as good as our last guy.
All right, let's do this.
State on three, here we go.
One, two, three. State!
- Let's get it, come on.
I'm glad you're here.
Coach, hey, good to see you, man.
You, too.
Nice shirts, what are you guys gonna run today or what?
Maybe. Oh Keith.
No, sir.
Does Josh know you're here today?
He asked me to come, but no, I don't think so.
Oh, okay.
Coach, how is he as a back-end runner?
Kinda slow?
Coach, Josh is the reason we're here.
Why don't you guys go catch the gun, okay?
I'll catch up with you.
Excuse me, I'm so sorry, okay?
There he is, there he is.
Thatta boy, Josh.
Thatta boy.
Runners, to the mark.
Good job, guys.
Good work.
There we go, that's our first guy there.
That's our first guy, right there.
That's him, that's it, Chad!
That's right, big dog, come on, speed,
you can hang with these guys man,
you can hang with 'em!
Is he in there?
Is that him?
Let's go David, let's go Bobby!
Nice job!
Stay together, stay together.
Where is he?
That's Adam right there.
Let's go, Adam!
Come on, buddy!
All the way through, all the way through.
That's Josh!
Let's go, Josh! Let's go, Josh!
Let's go, Josh.
Go, Josh!
Go Josh!
That's my son, that's my son.
Come on, let's pass these guys.
This is too fast.
We're not even at mile two yet.
Stay with me, let's go.
Zach, you good?
I'm good.
What are we doing?
We're winning.
Come on, buddy, that's right.
That's right, that's right.
Okay, that's it, die hard, all the way baby, come on!
- Woo!
Hold on there, hold on, there, there he is!
That's it, Josh!
Come on, you guys!
All the way!
They're here!
Good job, man!
You did it, you did it!
What about he playoffs?
Josh.
I'm so sorry.
I love you, Josh.
I'm so sorry.
What an incredible day, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for being here
to support these outstanding young men.
It is truly an exceptional accomplishment
to be in any of these fierce competitors' company.
Now we have an upset today.
The favored southeast tech will be going on
to accept second place individual medals,
and they've earned second place overall today.
Now this was truly earned today
by a team that I'm about to hand this to.
Together, they ran a season that took them all the way.
I would like to announce and personally congratulate
the first place state champions
coach Keith Olsen of the central falcons!
Chad, that's all you pal, hoist it up.
Hey, what did you do today?
It was the shoes, man.
That's my son.
Let this kid hold this.
That's all you, pal.