"Friday Night Lights" Characters: Season 1 Quiz

Answer: Taylor

Through a series of interviews and radio programs, we learn that Coach Taylor has been with the Panthers for six years, but this is his first season as the head coach. Additionally, we are told that Jason Street, the star quarterback, has been coached by Taylor since he was a little boy. Everyone in Dillon, Texas is clearly excited about the upcoming football season, making is clear that football is of utmost importance to Dillon.

In addition to all the optimistic comments the coaches, players, and spectators are making about the team's future, there are plenty of undercurrents that imply that the town won't tolerate not winning. Because of this, it is obvious that that both the players and Coach Taylor are under a lot of pressure to have a winning season.

Despite these pressures, the team goes on to win state, and Coach Taylor accepts a position as quarterback coach at TMU for the following year.

Answer: Lyla Garrity

Lyla Garrity is one of the most popular kids at the Dillon high school. She's dating the star quarterback, Jason Street, and they are planning to have a long life together. However, when the high school finds out that Lyla was unfaithful to Jason with fellow Panther teammate Tim Riggins, she becomes a social pariah.

She even considers quitting cheerleading, because her teammates antagonize her. Jason eventually forgives her, and she regains her social position at high school. The two have a short-lived engagement, which ends when Lyla discovers Jason kissing another girl.

Answer: Matt Saracen

Matt Saracen is a quiet, mild-mannered teenager with a very strict code of ethics. He struggles to balance his duties with school and football, and does an excellent job of it. He develops a crush on Julie Taylor, the coach's daughter, and the two start dating in the midst of the football season. Matt starts at quarterback in almost all of the games in the 2006 season, despite not being a starter in the previous season.

Answer: Tyra Collette

Tyra Collette is a girl who has been allowed to run wild. She seems to be a good person, but her mother's abusive partners and negligence have made her independent too early. She dates Tim Riggins at the beginning of the football season, but breaks up with him because he starts ignoring her. Tyra shoplifts some lip gloss that Julie Taylor admired, and she becomes promiscuous. Conner, an investment banker checking out Dillon oil wells, attracts her interest, and she dates him even knowing that he's leaving the next day. Tyra makes an effort to improve her grades near the end of the football season, and Landry - who has always admired her from afar - offers to help her out. One night when Landry has car trouble and misses their meeting, Tyra is sexually assaulted by a man who followed her out of a restaurant.

Answer: 'Smash' Williams

Brian 'Smash' Williams is one of the more high-profile members of the team. He is plays the position of running back, and expects to get a college scholarship to play football. Smash is clearly religious, and much of his motivation comes from wanting to support his mother and siblings.

When a football scout tells Smash that he's concerned about Smash's size and strength, Smash begins taking steroids. He does not use them for very long, however, as his mother and Coach Taylor quickly discover the truth. Coach is furious, but ultimately decides not to report Smash (which would have ended his career). Since then, Smash has played well and cleanly - his biggest problem is his ever-inflating ego.

Answer: Julie Taylor

Julie Taylor is the daughter of Eric and Tami Taylor. She is portrayed as a sweet girl who has disgust for the football mania that grips Dillon (a disgust shared by Tyra). However, this is most likely because her father is the football coach than any problem with the game itself.

After a few bumbling attempts to attract Julie's attention, Matt winds up at Julie's dance production, and he eventually gets her to agree to date him. The two double date with Smash and his girlfriend, who is impressed that Matt will accompany Julie to performing art events (theater, dance, etc.) Matt and Julie are still dating at the end of the football season.

Answer: Tim Riggins

Tim Riggins is the Dillon Panther fullback with potential. He's a solid football player, and he manages to pass his classes by the skin of his teeth. However, Tim always has a drink in his hand when he's not on the football field. For a period of time Tim sobered up, and he almost single-handedly won the homecoming game. Also, when his grades slipped a little and he got a tutor, Tim got a good grade on his English paper.

These events show that Tim is an intelligent person with a natural talent for football, and that, with a little work, he could be so much better than he currently is. Tim is also promiscuous; in the course of the football season he's been romantically linked with Tyra, Lyla, Jackie (his neighbor), and others. Both he and his brother Billy have been deeply affected by their father's leaving; much of Tim's behavior probably stems from this abandonment.

Answer: Buddy Garrity

Buddy Garrity is the smooth-talking car salesman. He owns Garrity Motors, and has a high position in Dillon Society. Buddy was most likely a Dillon Panther in his high school days, because he has a blue State ring. Garrity Motors sponsors many of the Booster Club events, and so Buddy believes he has a right to be kept informed of the football developments. Buddy is continually questioning Coach Taylor's decisions (or at least asking for an explanation of them), and takes it upon himself to act in the team's interests.

This includes everything from underhandedly sneaking a quarterback into Dillon to preventing Matt from having to leave Dillon. Buddy is also Lyla's father, and she initially takes his side in the divorce (because of her own history of infidelity).

However, she changes her opinion when she discovers that his affair was less a 'mistake' than a 'habit.'

Answer: Jason Street

Jason Street, star quarterback for the Dillon Panthers, breaks his neck in the first football game of the season while trying to keep the opposing team from scoring a touchdown. The town of Dillon is horrified, but the concern about finding a replacement quarterback for the Panthers is just as strong as it is for Jason's wellbeing. Jason loses function completely from the waist down, and only has partial control of his arms.

His parents, unable to pay for medical and rehabilitation costs, sue the Coach Taylor (the matter is eventually settled out of court). Jason is devastated by the news that he will never walk again, until his new roommate introduces him to the sport of quad rugby, also known as murderball. Jason tries out for the U.S. quad rugby team, but does not make the cut.

He then accepts a position as an assistant coach at Dillon, and helps Matt Saracen lead the team to victory at State.

Answer: Landry Clarke

Landry Clarke is introduced into the show as a secondary character. He does not play football (in this season), and he is primarily known as Matt Saracen's best friend. However, his role in the show grows as the season progresses. He help Tim Riggins write a book report on "Of Mice and Men" and he volunteers to help Tyra with her algebra out of infatuation.

However, when Tyra is attacked, she begins to rely on him and the two become closer. He's also seen yelling at Coach Taylor during the Powderpuff football game when Taylor objects to a call against Julie.

By the beginning of the second season, his dry wit and helpfulness have made him a central character.