Teenagers at a juvenile detention center, under the leadership of their counselor, gain self-esteem by playing football together.

Sean Porter: Is it gonna be like this forever? Killing each other because you were born five blocks in the wrong direction? How about we call peace right here?
Sean Porter: [to the team] You don't know how to spell 'Mustang'? You have GOT to be SHITTIN' me!
Malcolm Moore: Man, that kid's always smiling!
[laughing at Bugs]
Sean Porter: Yeah... but I wonder if he was laughing when he stabbed that old lady for her purse?
Sean Porter: Go easy on the ref, he knows he made a bad call.
John Stevens: I'm back, nigger!
[later, after Willie tackles John and scores touchdown]
Willie Weathers: You iight... nigga?
Malcolm Moore: You know you're an idiot, right?
Sean Porter: I'm making progress. I used to be an asshole.
Sean Porter: Most sixteen/seventeen year old kids, they make a bad choice. Something gets broken, they screw up in class, hurt somebody's feelings, show up at the prom drunk. They get sent to the Principal office, have their car keys taken away or get grounded. Then there's kids that make a bad choice, somebody ends up shot dead in a parking lot. Those kids get sent here.
Willie Weathers: Next touchdown I score, it's gonna be for ya mama.
[from trailer]
Sean Porter: Everybody listen up. The Gridiron is a football field. On the Gridiron, we do it my way, not your way. Your way got you here. Whatever gang you claim, whatever hood you're from, this is your hood now.
Sean Porter: Choi, get in!