Apalachee High School field becomes symbol of resilience in the first home football game since the shooting

Winder, Georgia CNN — The Friday night football game at Apalachee High School began as it usually would with a cheering crowd and national anthem performance – but this game was punctured by a moment of silence that weighed heavy on the community after the violence that took place at the campus one month ago. Elijah Nouvelage for CNN “Tonight is us reclaiming this field and reclaiming this stadium and celebrating each other and this community and these athletes and these performers,” Apalachee High School principal Jessica Rehberg told CNN at the game. Players honored Aspinwall with a special sticker on their helmets, while coaches, students and community members donned Apalachee’s blue and gold on Friday as they rallied behind the Wildcats in their first home football game since the tragic mass shooting sent shockwaves through the small community of Winder, Georgia, just weeks into the academic year. Elijah Nouvelage for CNN When students returned to the field Friday, signs of resilience were everywhere: “Chee Strong” could be seen around the field on banners and clothing as the community cheered Apalachee on. Yes, with football you want to win and … get on the scoreboard, but our win that night was getting back to playing,” Hancock said about the team’s first away game since the shooting.