After being shunted between relatives and expelled from several schools, orphaned Joe Thomson finally landed at Ivy Lane High School where because of similar names, he was mistaken tor a great football hero and popular all-around boy. Being an obliging fellow, Joe lived up to his spurious reputation. As Flash Thomson, he wins the prettiest girl in school, saves the day for the glee club, makes a touchdown and wins the most important football game of the year and generally becomes the idol of the whole school. In the second act, when Joe is being feted at the annual junior-senior dance, the real hero turns up and Joe is exposed. Joe is in disrepute and once more contemplates life at a new school. But Joe has so endeared himself to the school and the real hero is such an obnoxious chap that a level-headed member of the school-board insists Joe is truly a hero... even if by default.