The
Apalachee (Winder, Ga.) football team played its first home game Friday night since a Sept. 4 school shooting killed two students and two teachers, including defensive coordinator Richard Aspinwall. The Wildcats had a special supporter on hand in Dwayne Johnson, better known to some as The Rock.
Unfortunately for Apalachee, it wasn't able to lay the smackdown on
Jackson County (Jefferson) as the visitors left with a 25-6 victory.
Though Apalachee lost its 26th consecutive game, it's a victory for the program just to get back on the field.
"We've got students here that go through good days and bad days," head coach Mike Hancock told USA Today last week. "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 Rock met with the football team last week in Atlanta and lauded their resiliency and strength.
Apalachee High School didn't re-open until Sept. 24 and the football team took nearly two weeks off after the tragedy. Classes are being held for half-days until mid-October.
The Wildcats will return to the field again Oct. 18 against
Alcovy (Covington).
