You may never matter again in your life as much as you do right now under FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

Odessa, Texas, like countless American towns, is a tense, economically downtrodden, racially divided community — difficult to escape from and paralyzing to live within. The town copes by washing out their woes under the bright lights of the High School football stadium, where the Permian High School Panthers run roughshod over more well heeled competition. Leading the Panthers’ charge to state is coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton), whose job and family’s well-being relies on his talented, but troubled team making the playoffs. He’s got an inconsistent quarterback, a star player on the disabled list, and a full-back whose alcoholic father lives through his son’s successes and failures.

Part of Nitehawk’s February A FOOTBALL PROGRAM brunch series.