Returning to the Field After Tragedy
Healing is the central focus as the Apalachee High School football team prepares for their upcoming game on Saturday. This will mark the Wildcats’ first game since the tragic shooting on Sept. 4 at the school’s campus in Winder, Georgia, which claimed the lives of two students and two teachers, including one of the football team’s assistant coaches.
With the school reopening on Monday, the team resumed practice last week, helping them cope with the emotional aftermath.
Finding Solace in Togetherness
Mike Hancock, head football coach at Apalachee, spoke about how the students are processing their grief. “We’ve got students here that go through good days and bad days,” said Hancock. “But I know this—when our kids are together, whether it’s practicing or hanging out, eating pizza and wings, they’re healing much better.”
He emphasized that this sense of unity extends beyond football to other activities like band, volleyball, and softball. “Teenagers, yes, they’re resilient, but they also need to be together.”
A Delayed Game and a Supportive Community
Apalachee is scheduled to play Clarke Central High School in Athens. Originally set for Friday night, the game was rescheduled for Saturday due to weather from Hurricane Helene. The Wildcats are also preparing for their first home game next week, which is expected to play a significant role in the healing process for the entire community of Winder, a small town of about 19,400 people.
“I think that comes with any small town,” Hancock explained. “When we play our first home game, there’s going to be a lot of people from around here that want to come and show support because they want to see our kids get on that field.”
Honoring Coach Richard Aspinwall
The Wildcats will be honoring Richard Aspinwall, the team’s defensive coordinator, who was among those killed in the tragic shooting. To keep his memory alive, the players will wear shirts bearing “Coach A” under their football pads.
“He has a desk in the coaches’ office, and we’ve kind of made a little memorial there,” said Hancock. “We tell stories about him in the coaches’ office… The kids are the same way, where they will share their stories. And that’s how we heal.”
Support from the Broader Community
In the wake of the tragedy, the football team has been embraced by their local and broader community. The Atlanta Falcons hosted the Wildcats at their practice earlier in September, and two Apalachee players served as honorary captains during the Falcons’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Other players spent time on the sidelines before kickoff.
Additionally, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson visited the school earlier this week and spent time with the football team and other students. He also announced plans to attend Apalachee’s home game next week, offering further support.
Clarke Central High School, Apalachee’s opponent on Saturday, is also showing solidarity. “We are donating ticket proceeds to help the victims’ families,” Clarke Central coach David Perno said.
Overcoming the Losing Streak
Apalachee High School’s football team has endured a 24-game losing streak. Currently 0-3 this season, the Wildcats will face the 3-2 Clarke Central team with another opportunity to end the streak. However, Coach Hancock noted that, in light of recent events, winning or losing is no longer the primary focus.
Joshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald via USA TODAY Network
“It’s something I think that our kids know and the community knows, but I don’t know really that anybody now is going to focus on that aspect,” Hancock said. “Even without the tragedy now, we’re going to focus on trying to beat our next opponent. And hopefully one day when that 48 minutes ticks off [the game clock], we’re ahead on the scoreboard.”