A newcomer coach Eric Taylor finds himself helming a promising high school football team, the Dillon Panthers, that has a real chance to make it to the top.

As the team pulls together and tries to help Matt get used to his new role as quarterback after Jason's injury, Lyla offers her support to Tim.Jason learns about the extent of his injury, and Tami gets a job as the school guidance counselor.

The situation in town begins to get ugly as Coach Taylor and his family is forced to endure heat from a difficult loss against the San Marco HS Rattlers.Tim and Tyra break up after he confronts her about Smash, and Lyla, after having an argument with Jason, vents her anger onto Tim.

The big game against the Tigers drawing closer, Coach Taylor must decide between Matt and the self-assured recruit Ray "Voodoo" Tatum for the starting quarterback. The feelings between Tim and Lyla grow stronger. Jason's newly-found motivation strives him to begin the rehab.

Ray Tatum faces the blame of his team mates after Panthers' win in the game last week might be overturned.

Defensive tackle Bobby Reyes is arrested by the police during a practice for beating a student. Coach Taylor and Buddy Garrity are questioned by the Texas High School athletic administration.Lyla and Tim surprise Jason by taking him to the lake.

As the Panthers get ready to face the dominating Laribee Lions, the 2000 State Champ quarterback, Lucas Mize is set to join the team.Smash catches his chance to convince a college scout of his talents. A focused Tim quits drinking. Jason's suspicions of Lyla and Tim's affair grow. Tyra and Billy set up an after game homecoming party.

Julie thinks about going on a date with Matt. A discouraged Smash turns to foul play to improve his on-pitch performance. Cheered by Lyla and Tim, Jason has his first quad rugby game. A dinner turns into a fight for Coach Taylor, Tami, Riggins and his brother.

Smash continues to go the extreme to improve his performance. Rumors begin to spread about Tim and Lyla's relationship. Julie and Matt attempt to go out on a date but it is cursed from the beginning.The Panthers are in much anticipation for their upcoming game against the Gatling High.

The cheerleaders prepare for Championship Classic. Lyla is picked on when people find out about her and Riggins. Coach Taylor tries to keep Matt and Julie apart. Jason goes home after being released from rehab.

The Panthers have only one more game to win in order to qualify for the play-offs. Smash's mother discovers something that could end his football dreams.

The Panthers prepare for their first playoff game.Coach Taylor gets distracted as he has to come up with a solution to Smash's use of drugs. Tyra and Julie befriend while Riggins bonds with his alienated father.Buddy learns about Jason and Lyla's engagement.

The Panthers savor their crucial playoff-win-until race issues emerge and sorely test their bond after Mac makes racial statements.Tami frowns upon Julie's newfound friendship with Tyra. The girls play a powder-puff football game.

After Julie reveals to Matt that she wants to have sex with him, Matt feels the need to put together something special. Tim clashes with his father.The Panthers are into the next round of the playoffs and looking solid.

Lyla makes a surprise visit to the quad rugby camp where Jason is playing at, but she doesn't find the comfort she came looking for.Buddy Garrity's affair with Tyra's mother comes out. Consequently, Buddy decides to move in with the Taylors.Smash becomes suspicious about Waverly when she goes for a midnight swim with him.

An chemical spill near Dillon High School forces Coach Taylor and the Panthers to seek another facility in which to play the crucial State Semi-Final game.

The rumors about Coach Taylor leaving the team at the end of the season get a boost when an inside source decides to speak up.

Meanwhile, the Panthers are preparing themselves for the state championship.

Changes in the team force Dillon Panthers to work harder than ever before to achieve the same level of success they had last season. Losing Coach Taylor to TMU might prove to be their biggest setback. Tyra gets a shock visitor. Matt and Landry struggle with their everyday life, as it is not what they expected.

Matt and Smash have a hard time listening to their coach as they prepare for their first game of the new season. Coach Taylor heads back to Dillon to check on his family and finds out just what is happening to the Panthers since he's left.

Coach Taylor returns to Dillon, but it is not an easy homecoming; the team must deal with conflict between Saracen and Smash; Riggins turns to Lyla for help in changing Street's mind about surgery.

Key evidence comes in implicating Landry; when Tami's sister visits to help her with the baby, she stirs things up in the house; Riggins must prove to coach Taylor that he wants to be a part of the team.

As college football scouts approach Smash, he must make a life-changing decision. Coach Taylor has set his sights on a potential addition to the team. Tami appoints Lyla and Tyra to be in charge of this year's Pantherama. Matt is living his dream, with his new cheerleader girlfriend by his side, but yet he is drawn to the live-in nurse. Julie turns her jealousy into a twisted relationship.

Brian "Smash" Williams takes heat from the major colleges that want a verbal commitment to their program. Meanwhile tension is still high between Coach Taylor and Tim Riggins regarding the situation with Julie. Tim doesn't know where to turn. And all eyes are on Coach Taylor as he prepares the Panthers to play Laribee High School in the season's biggest game.

Coach Taylor hires Tami as the girls volleyball coach and enlists the help of Tyra. Smash has a confrontation at a movie theater and is faced with a dilemma.

Smash's hunt for a college football scholarship turns into something completely different. Tami comes across her high school boyfriend, whose job as a real estate magnate has brought him to Dillon, making Coach Taylor jealous.

Jason is offered a life-changing opportunity. Riggins goes after Lyla this time using more unconventional methods.

In the third-season opener, Eric fights to keep his job and helps Smash rebound. Elsewhere, Tami faces new challenges as principal; Tyra frets over college; Billy proposes; and tension escalates between Lyla and Riggins.

Tami becomes angry by Tyra's actions. In an effort to help his grandma, Matt stumbles upon his estranged mother. Coach Taylor tries his best to encourage Smash as he tries to make the college tryouts.

Coach worries and fears for his job as Tami befriends Katie McCoy. The pressure is on Matt as everyone's hopes turn to the new quarterback. Matt's friendly with Julie. Billy drags Tim into a risky scheme to get them out of debt. Lyla cautions Tim.

Tami embarrasses herself with the superintendent. Tyra breaks with Landry to take up with Cash, the new bad boy in town. Julie advises Matt who is upset with his mother who has come to help with grandma. Smash has an emotional goodbye with Coach.

Matt grapples with his mother, his emotions and Coach Taylor as McCoy garners more attention. Tami tangles with Tyra about Julie and Tyra's interest in Cash. Tyra experiences Cash's darker side. Erin disappoints Jason.

Coach is furious with Tim and the team for a freshman hazing. J.D. wins the respect of the town and team. A late night swim at the lake turns into more for Julie and Matt. Tyra is shocked when a woman shows up claiming Cash owes her child support.

Eric and Tami try to calm Jamarca's angry parents; Billy helps Tim pursue a scholarship; and Jason, Herc and the Riggins brothers receive good news.

Tim is worried when Jason talks about leaving Dillon. Money troubles cause a riff between Tami and Eric. Tyra leans on Cash when things get tough, while Julie talks to her dad about Matt's idea.

Tim returns to find both good and bad surprises. Coach has to change his plans and reluctantly supports Tami when she feels obligated to help Tyra out of a jam. Saracen has second thoughts and clashes with Shelby. Lyla and Mindy team up.

It becomes clear JD has no interest in his father's advice regarding Madison. Lyla turns to Riggins when Buddy reveals a secret. Coach is emotionally challenged both on and off the field. Tyra has a plan to repair her relationship with Landry.

Tyra is desperate and once again turns to Landry. Coach and Tami learn of a change that could dismantle the Panthers team. Tim sees another side of Lyla. Matt flips out when Grandma suffers an accident. Tensions escalate between JD and Joe.

J.D.'s dad has to deal with child protective services after his fight with J.D. Tyra realizes that life isn't fair and that she needs to do whatever is necessary to get in to college. Matt and Tim prepare for the last game of their high school career: The Texas State Championship.

Five months later, Coach Taylor's contract is up for review on Billy and Mindy's wedding day. Tyra grows anxious about her waitlist status. Matt leaves Grandma Saracen and Julie behind to attend college. Tim and Lyla question their future together.

Coach Taylor wonders how low his fortunes can sink as he struggles to pull the East Dillon Lions together while Tami navigates the new politics at West Dillon. Meanwhile, Matt gets a taste of life as a townie and Tim is inspired by a college lecture on "the hero's journey."

A controversy at West Dillon puts star player Luke Cafferty on the Lions' roster. Elsewhere, Coach tries to reenergize his demoralized team and Tami takes an unpopular stand. Meanwhile, Matt meets an uncouth local artist and Tim finds a new living situation in an unexpected place.

Homecoming at the newly-reopened school prompts Coach to investigate East Dillon's history. Tami feels the wrath of the boosters. Landry and Vince both like Jess. Julie accompanies Devin to a gay bar. Matt and Tim go hunting.

Julie, Landry, Coach, and Tami rally around Matt in a time of crisis; Vince endangers his rising star as a football player by engaging in criminal activity in order to support his family; Becky and Tim grow closer.

Coach searches for a strategy to shut down their toughest opponent yet. Tim reconnects with Lyla. Vince discovers he has a gift for car theft. Julie and Matt attend a concert in Austin and reach a critical juncture in their relationship.

Despite some doubt, Coach makes Vince quarterback. Tami struggles to comfort Julie who's grieving over Matt's sudden departure. Tim has a confrontation with Becky's dad. Luke is badly injured. Landry makes a play for Jess.

Eric realizes that East Dillon's problems aren't only on the field; Jess tries to choose between Vince and Landry; Luke's injury takes a toll on him; and Riggins makes a decision that could backfire.

Riggins puts Tami in a tough spot; Julie asks a friend to dinner; Vince’s mom has a health crisis; Luke’s parents look for ways to help him; and Eric is urged to change his coaching style.

Tensions in town run high as the Panthers/Lions game approaches; Coach tells Luke he won't be playing; Tami attempts to placate her detractors; developments both good and bad shake up the Riggins boys; Vince teams up with Kennard to seek revenge.

The Taylors host Thanksgiving dinner; Coach tells Vince he has to be more selfish; Tami must make an apology; Julie and Landry are surprised by a visitor from their past; Tim makes a difficult decision; East Dillon rallies around the Lions.