The
Apalachee (Winder, Ga.) football team took the field Saturday for the first time in three weeks following a school shooting that killed two students and two teachers, including defensive coordinator Richard Aspinwall.
Apalachee fell 48-21 to Clarke County in a game scheduled for Friday but postponed because of Hurricane Helene. The Wildcats dropped to 0-4 and extended their losing streak to 25.
But being back on the field was part of the healing process from the Sept. 4 shooting.
The players wore shirts that read "Coach A" under their jerseys in honor of Aspinwall.
"We've got students here that go through good days and bad days," head coach Mike Hancock told
USA Today. "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."
The team began practicing again last week as the school opened Monday. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson spent time with students Tuesday and planned to attend the Oct. 4 home game.
