Young Andre Mitchell is a gifted football player who is adept at dodging tackles and dodging trouble. In junior high he was a star. But now—in high school—Dre must not only make the grade in the classroom, he must hold his own on the field and in the streets.

At John L. LeFlore, Dre is a small fish in a pond full of piranhas. He's uncertain if new love interests can be trusted, or if old puppy love can mature. All of this becomes even more complicated when a run-in with local thugs leads to his arrest and questioning by police.

Dre's caught up in a whirlwind. Life is happening too fast, outpacing his experience. But in Toulminville, Dre's hood, you grow up quick. Or you don't grow up.