ATHENS, Ga. — Just weeks after a tragic school shooting took the life of their football team's defensive coordinator, Richard Aspinwall, and three others, Apalachee High School returned to the football field for the first time since the incident.
The Wildcats faced Clarke Central High School on Saturday morning in Athens in a game about much more than football.
Originally scheduled for Friday night, the game was moved to 11 a.m. Saturday due to concerns over Hurricane Helene. Clarke Central planned a heartfelt tribute to honor Apalachee’s community in its time of mourning.
Clarke Central students and staff organized several initiatives to support Apalachee with the Wildcats’ school colors and signs displayed to encourage the visiting team.
In a further gesture of unity, Clarke Central announced that all gate proceeds would be donated to Apalachee to support the victims’ families and ongoing recovery efforts.
Before the game began, there was a moment of silence for the four victims of the Sept. 4 shooting: coach and teacher Richard Aspinwall, 39, and teacher Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Nine others were injured in the shooting that authorities say was carried out by 14-year-old Colt Gray.
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This game marks a significant step forward for the Wildcats, who returned to classes for the first time Tuesday. It’s a moment of resilience for the players and students as they work to reclaim a sense of normalcy.
Kickoff was set for 11 a.m. at Clarke Central High School’s Billy Henderson Football Stadium in Clarke County. The Clarke Central Gladiators won the game 48 - 21.
