To nearly everyone's surprise, the team emerges relatively unscathed and returns to town as exactly that — a team. But Boone still faces some lingering resentment from Yoast, who seems ready to pounce at the first mistake he makes. If that isn't bad enough, there are those in the community determined to make his coaching stint a short one, including school board members who have all but said that Boone will be out if he loses.

It's possible that many audiences will be able to predict what happens next, down to even the most minute plot details and specific lines of dialogue — even if they're not already familiar with the real-life stories of Boone and the Titans.

But director Boaz Yakin ("Fresh," "A Price Above Rubies") uses that predictability as a strength. In fact, it gives Yakin and screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard an excuse to explore different facets of the story line and give the supporting characters their own back-stories.

Still, it might not have worked if Washington and Patton didn't have an easy on-screen chemistry, which makes their initially strained relationship that much more believable.

As for the supporting-cast members, especially those playing members of the team, they could have easily fallen into neat stereotypes, but instead each emerges as a likable presence, especially Donald Faison and the conflicted team captain, Ryan Hurst.

"Remember the Titans" is rated PG for sports violence (some slightly brutal) and some brawling, as well as use of racial epithets and some scattered, mild profanities. Running time: 113 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com