Conformity

Every one has the desire to be a part of something. That something can range from being a member of the church to a member of a circle of friends. For our main character, Jerry Renault, his desire is to be quarterback on the freshman football team. Being part of something means that you are wanted and accepted in a certain way. With Jerry's recent loss of his mother to cancer and a father that is working more hours to compensate, he feels left out of his family unit; thus, he wants to be accepted somewhere.
For Jerry, belonging to the family unit was his way of following what is socially accepted in society, everyone has a mother and a father. When that family unit is broken apart, Jerry feels that his life does not conform to what society expects. Even at Trinity Catholic he is surrounded kids that come from complete families, reminding him of what he doesn't have. The football team is the first indication that Jerry is seeking to be a conformist. If he can make the team, he will be a part of something and become accepted in society once again.
Archie Costello is one character in the story whom Jerry must avoid if he is going to survive at Trinity. He is the most respected senior who is the leader of a secret fraternal group known as The Vigils. The Vigils are the ones that enforce the "unwritten" rules for the student body. He is the creator of conformity in the school, seeking kids that have little or no feeling acceptance, such as Jerry. As to what Jerry's role in Archie's plans will be, it is unknown BUT these two are destined to collide.