For about four, long, challenging – even painful years – Aplachi Wildcats were dreaming of this moment: to please fans in the stand and finally a big leadership on the field.
Prior to this weekend, the High School Football Team in Winder, Georgia had not won a game since 2021, a losing line was so long that many people questioned whether it would ever end.
Prior to this summer, when CBS News first met the team’s latest head coach Kevin Saunders, he showed that he was not to play there, he was there to win. He talked about the challenges of changing a culture.
“It is not easy to be a leader and is not always accepted as a leader. If you want to accept, you sell ice cream – everyone likes the man who sells ice cream,” Saounders said. “I only know how to do it in a way and it’s hard work.”
Saunders was bringing a change in a team in view of something more challenging than the loss on a football ground. Eleven months ago, A Shooter at Apalaachee High School Two students and two teachers, including the team’s defensive coordinator Richard Aspinwall, were killed.
Saunders said, “We have found children who had never played before, who now want to be a part of something, and what happened in the past can be reflected.”
Senior linebacker Ryan Hansen, including his players, bought his new coach in the intensity of his new coach.
“The mindset that we have to be out of here and now have the heart to play it, you really need it.”
To deal with the trauma, the saunders was brought to a mental performance coach, Christian Gujara.
“Some players, the way to face them, ‘Hey, I can do the best I can, I want to focus on being on the field.” Some, they want to talk a little more about it, “said Gujara.
That is why on Saturday night, this team and community were so deeply meaningful. As soon as the last seconds last, the ceremonies started.
The announcer said, “Your aplachi wildcats are victorious.”
Aplachi defeated its opponents from 29 to 9.
While the football will not erase the tragedy, this is now a reason to rally – and to believe that the return is always stronger than the shock.
