Football Genius

As they walk to Tate’s mom’s car in the parking lot, Tate points out that the first-place prize for the competition includes a lunch with Seth Halloway. They could arrange to get Tessa and Seth together because the date of the lunch conflicts with Tate’s mother’s bible study group. Meanwhile, Tate’s mom drives the three of them home, complaining that Coach Renfro kept them practicing late on a school night.

The next day after school, Troy helps Tate learn how to throw farther. He teaches her his own technique for distance: to get mad before she throws and then channel her anger into energy. Tate says that she doesn’t get angry. Nathan however half-moons her from across the yard, and she angrily throws the ball three yards farther.

After their game with the Tigers on Saturday, the three walk over to the contest together. Tate punts and kicks well, but her first two throws are not good enough to be competitive. For her third one, Nathan sneaks into the bushes on the other side of the field and moons her again. As the crowd reacts, she gets angry and heaves the ball with all her might. The crowd cheers, and Tate knows it is going to be close. Nathan disappears as an official looks for him in the bushes.

Tate wins the competition. She is mad at what Nathan did but accepts her prize, including her certificate for a lunch with Seth Halloway. Troy’s mom comes to pick them up as Nathan appears from the bushes and sneaks into the car before anyone else can see him.

Tate tells Troy’s mom that she won the prize of lunch with Seth Halloway. Tate asks Tessa’s mom if she will accompany Tate to the lunch with Seth. Tessa is reluctant at first but finally agrees to go.

The next day, the Falcons lose to the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Troy watches the game with Gramp. Troy begins to worry that coach McFadden will soon be fired and that his mom will be fired, too.

When the following weekend finally arrives, Troy, Nathan, and Tate put their plan into action. Troy asks his mom to drop him and Nathan off at the museum while she is at lunch with Tate and Seth. Tate then asks Tessa to meet her at the restaurant, saying that Tate’s father is going to drop her off there.

After Tessa drops the boys off at the museum, they rush in to see the mummies in order to cover their story and then run the six blocks over to the restaurant. By the time they make it there, Tessa and Seth are already sitting together on the terrace.

The boys sneak into the bushes and peer through the gaps in the bricks to listen in on the conversation. Seth and Troy’s mom both appear nervous, and they don’t speak much. Tessa’s phone rings. It’s Tate, saying she will not be able to make the lunch as she has stomach bug. Just as Tessa is about to leave, Seth asks her to stay and have lunch with him anyway.

At lunch, Troy listens in as Seth and Tessa talk, mostly about the Falcons. When the time for the check comes, Seth and Tessa discuss their previous disagreement when Seth offers to pay for the lunch. Tessa apologizes for attacking him. They make amends and agree to meet up again.

Tessa tells Seth that she is not someone who throws herself at sports stars or thinks that sports stars are real heroes. She says she believes the real heroes of the world are soldiers, firemen, police, and teachers. To her surprise, Seth agrees with her and tells her about his father, a policeman killed in the line of duty. Tessa and Seth bond over this, and Seth empathizes with Troy’s struggle of growing up without a father around. Embarrassed, Troy grabs Nathan, and they sneak way. The boys make it back to the museum in time to be there when Troy’s mom pulls up.

Once again, Troy doesn’t play in the game that evening. It doesn’t bother him as much this time. He is more focused on his plan. After dinner, while he is having dessert with his mom, Troy pitches her his plan.