Neely Crenshaw was probably the best quarterback ever to play for the legendary Messina Spartans. He has returned to Messina for the funeral of his coach, Eddie Rake. As Coach Rake's "boys" sit in the bleachers they replay the old games, relive the old glories, and try to decide once and for all whether they love Rake or hate him. For Neely, a man who must finally forgive his coach and himself before he can get on with his life, the stakes are especially high.