"I would just like to congratulate the players for another great season," Eric announced. "Let's give them all a hand!"

All of Dillon, crowded in the Taylor's living room, cheered wildly. Buddy Garrity stood up and added, "And another round of applause for our favorite coach Eric Taylor." Cheers filled the room once again, "and enjoy the party!" Buddy yelled enthusiastically before taking another chug of his beer.

Just as Eric was ready to pop some game tapes into the TV and reminisce, the doorbell rang. "Eric, can you get that please," Tami yelled in a stressed tone.

"Hold on sweetie, I'm in the middle of something."

"Gracie's crying and she needs to be changed. It's your pick door or diapers."

"I got it!" He yelled back and sprung off of the couch towards the front door.

He opened the door and greeted Jason with a smile. "Jason, glad you could come. C'mon in. Who's this?" Eric asked referring to the woman her was holding hands with.

"Erin," Jason said grinning. "This is Erin."

Tami came down the stairs and gave Eric a pat on the shoulder relieving him of his hosting duties. "Can I get y'all something to drink?"

"No thanks. Actually we came because we have an announcement to make."

Then Tami took a look at Erin's belly and put it together. "Oh Jason, congratulations!" she exclaimed giving him a gigantic hug. "And of course you too Erin," she said and caught Erin off guard by caringly hugging her as well.

"Hey Smash. Hey Riggins," he exchanged quick hugs with his friends. "Help me get everyone's attention."

"Quiet down, people. Quiet down," Smash insisted in his smooth, cool voice. Conversation continued.

"Everyone shut up!" Riggins yelled bluntly.

"Thanks," Jason replied quietly, growing a little nervous. "I don't really know how to say this but… I'm going to be a father!" he announced, "and I'd like to introduce you to Erin," he said putting his arm around her, "the wonderful mother." Everyone screamed and clapped, as Lyla inconspicuously slipped out onto the patio. Everyone ambushed him with slaps on the back, handshakes and hearty congratulations. The couple spent the evening at the party and Jason, beaming with excitement, worked to make Erin feel at home. She didn't blend in too well with the Dillon females. She had a particularly difficult time hiding her sarcasm, when introduced to some of the rally-girls. But she had some decent conversations with the Taylor family, and some of the football players, and was slowly accumulating information about the father of her baby.

Towards the end, as people were beginning to leave and those who remained were assisting in cleaning up, Eric took Jason a side for one of his "man to man" talks. "Come have a seat," Eric told him, pulling two lawn chairs next to each other.

"Oh no," Jason said with a smirk.

"So…" he said, "you're gonna be a father."

"I am."

"You know what you're getting yourself into?"

"I do, sir."

"You have any plans?"

"I wanted to marry her, coach. But she doesn't want that. Not yet."

"That's alright, son. But she is the only woman in your life. She and that baby, they're the most important people in your life. You got that?"

"Yeah. I want this, coach. More than anything."

"That's good to hear," Eric replied. "In that case, welcome to fatherhood. You've got a bumpy road ahead of yourself. Just keep telling yourself, that you're a strong guy. You're a strong guy, okay?"

Jason took a deep breath. "I'm a strong guy," he repeated.

"What?" Coach questioned.

"I'm the strongest guy, sir!" Jason shouted and laughed feeling as if he was on the field once again.

"And while I'm not sure I'm the most qualified to be giving parenting advice," he said eying to Julie through the window, who was flirting with Riggins. "but I'm hear for you."

"Thanks, coach. I'm going to be alright," he said confidently. "Clear eyes. Full hearts…"

"Can't lose," Eric said weakly.

"Exactly," Jason replied returning to the kitchen to accompany Erin.

Eric sat outside for the next few minutes, uncertain that his trademark motto would be enough this time.