The Apalachee High School football team’s focus is on healing as they gear up for their game this Saturday.

This will mark the Wildcats’ first match since the tragic shooting on September 4 at their school in Winder, Georgia, which claimed the lives of two students and two teachers, one of whom was an assistant coach for the team.

Last week, the team resumed practice, and the school reopened on Monday.

“Our students experience a mix of good and bad days,” said Mike Hancock, head coach of Apalachee, located about 50 miles northwest of Atlanta. “However, being together—whether it’s during practice, sharing a meal, or just hanging out—has really helped in their healing process.”

“This sense of community isn’t just for football; it extends to our band, our volleyball, and softball teams. While teenagers show resilience, they need each other during tough times.”

The Wildcats will travel to Athens to face Clarke Central High School. Their game, initially scheduled for Friday night, was postponed to Saturday due to Hurricane Helene-related weather.

Next week, they’ll play at home, an event expected to contribute positively to the healing journey of their community, which has a population of approximately 19,400, according to Hancock, who is in his second year as head coach.

“In a small town, everyone shows up to support each other,” Hancock shared with YSL News Sports. “I anticipate a large turnout for our first home game as community members rally to support our kids as they take the field.”

“We are all healing together, and that is important.”

Commemorating a Deceased Coach

As a tribute to Richard Aspinwall, the team’s defensive coordinator who lost his life in the shooting, Apalachee’s players will wear shirts that read “Coach A” under their jerseys.

Aspinwall left behind a wife and two young daughters.

“He has a dedicated space in our coaches’ office, which we’ve turned into a small memorial,” Hancock explained. “We often share stories about him. Whenever someone shares a cheeky remark, we say, ‘Oh, Ricky would have loved that.’ He was always the one ready to stir the pot.”

“The kids do the same; they share their memories of him. That’s an essential part of our healing process.”

Throughout this difficult time, Apalachee’s football team has received overwhelming support.

The Atlanta Falcons welcomed the team to their practice earlier in September, and on Sunday, two players from Apalachee participated as honorary captains during the coin toss against the Kansas City Chiefs, with others spending time on the Falcons’ sideline prior to the game.

This past Tuesday, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson visited the school, interacting with the football players and students, and has expressed his intention to attend Apalachee’s upcoming home game.

Support extends to the Wildcats’ away games as well.

Clarke Central’s coach, David Perno, communicated with YSL News Sports, stating, “We are donating ticket sales to assist the families of the victims. We will also have signs of support displayed.”

Breaking the Losing Streak

The Apalachee Wildcats are currently facing a 24-game losing streak.

This season, they have yet to win, standing at 0-3, and they will aim to change their luck against Clarke Central, who has a record of 3-2.

“The community is aware of this streak, and so are the kids, but I believe that the recent events have shifted the focus away from that,” Hancock remarked. “Even without this tragedy, our main goal is to prepare for each upcoming game and hopefully, when the final whistle blows, we find ourselves on top.”