Victor Trenton (Brad Leland) is a high school football coach who is determined to have an undefeated season so that he can score a college coaching job.  However, when one of his players, Benny Robison (Fred Tolliver, Jr.), dies of a previously undiagnosed heart condition during a grueling practice, Trenton’s plans fall apart.  Instead of rescheduling the next game, Trenton insists that his players play it.  When an assistant coach forfeits the game, Victor starts to become the town pariah.

This is a short and simple indie film about the price of win-at-all-costs competitiveness.  Even before Benny dies, Victor Trenton is not a particularly likable character.  A part of him does care about his players but an even bigger part sees them as pawns in his quest to get a college position.  When Benny dies, Trenton refuses to take any responsibility and descends into drinking and self-pity.  When Trenton is sued by Benny’s mother, Trenton insists that nothing is his fault.  By the end of the movie, Trenton has started to take some responsibility but the movie doesn’t end with a definite resolution.  It’s up to the viewer to decide whether or not Victor Trenton is responsible or truly sorry for Benny’s death.

It’s not a totally satisfying viewing experiences but Brad Leland gives one of the most authentic “coach” performances that I’ve ever seen.  He knows how to win football games and, for his hometown, that’s enough until it isn’t.