TREY FOOTE, the star safety on his high school football team, the Skyview Storm, is midway through another dismal season. Trey, a likeable, mischievous kid is popular with his peers and teachers.
While playing their cross town rivals, Trey makes a spectacular interception, albeit in a losing effort, and he injures his leg. Further examination reveals that it's more than just a simple injury; he has a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.
While in the hospital, he meets SAMATHA TYNER, a girl his own age, also suffering from the same disease. Sam is beautiful, yet fragile, comes from a broken home and dysfunctional family. She has all but given up.
A quirky friendship develops between the two, with Trey’s boundless optimism convincing her that they can prove all the others wrong about a lot of things, including his team’s chances of making it to the state championship, and Samantha simply making it period.
They agree to a pact. Trey will lead the team to the championships only if Samantha promises she’ll be there to watch. They promise to kiss in the end zone after the championship game.
Almost immediately, there is good medical news to report. Trey’s surgery is successful and he is cleared to play. And Samantha’s tests reveal no trace of the tumor.
Truly inspired, Trey prepares for the upcoming season with bold confidence. But, as it approaches, something is wrong. Medical tests reveal the horrible truth. The cancer has returned. And this time the prognosis is dark.
Not wanting to discourage Samantha, Trey lies to her about his progress, fearful it might somehow jinx her recovery. Finally, unable to stand his deception, he opts to breaks off contact, much to her confusion, and slips into a dark depression.
Sensing his despair, his coach and the teammates come up with a plan. They arrive in the hospital to announce that he is an honorary member of the Skyview Storm, and, as such, is expected to attend the games and sit on the bench with the team. In an emotional moment, they dedicate the season to him. And, almost as if by that very act, the team begins to win.
As Trey’s condition worsens, his father, JIM, packs him into their SUV and parks near the end zone where it becomes a symbol for the team and the community of faith. The story hits the local media and, miles away, Samantha learns the truth.
Furious at his deception, she arrives to confront him. Now, the roles have changed. She chides him, cajoles him, reminding him of their promise. To kiss in the end zone after the championship game.
The family senses the end of near as they gather in Trey’s room. Trey, waxing nostalgic remembers an camping experience where he had gotten lost and knew to shine his flashlight up into the branches of the tree, so his dad could find him. He tells his dad that, when he’s gone, to shine a light up toward the sky.
As the Skyview storm prepares for the big game, news arrives that Trey has passed. Jim asks to address the team. In a classic Knute Rockne speech, Jim tells Trey’s teammates that they must finish the job Trey started. They tearfully agree and head off to do battle.
It’s no contest. The Skyview Storm crush their opponent and, as the game ends, amid the celebration, the field light suddenly go down. On cue, people begin to break out flashlights and shine them skyward. A touching memorial for Trey.
Amid the ad hoc tribute, we SEE Samantha, alone, waiting in the end zone for Trey. She had not gotten the news.
Spotting her, Jim and the family, comfort her. Jim tells her how much Trey loved her. How much they all loved her. And now, it is up to all of them to keep his memory alive. They all need to be there for each other.