After finding out that the rival team of an upcoming game has a player that's HIV-positive, everyone but Michael wants to cancel. Michael brings his friend Joe to the Stadium to meet some of the Deering players, later revealing that Joe is the guy that's HIV-positive. After meeting Joe and finding out how normal he is, the Deering team decide that they want to play in the game. However, parents of other students complain and get the school board to cancel the game again. So the two teams try to have an unofficial game behind the school board's back and Julie tries to get over her fears about guarding Joe.