WINDER, Ga. — The Apalachee High School football team played at home for the first time since a shooting inside the high school left two students and two teachers, one a football coach, dead.
As students, staff, parents, and community members poured into the stadium Friday night, people said it was a step toward healing.
"It’s Friday night in Georgia. Really, football is what we do. And it’s been a couple weeks since we’ve had a home football game," said Omeed Behzadi, who's a teacher and girls' soccer coach at the high school.
Behzadi said it was a "beautiful sight" to see the stands fill up with people coming to support the team and the school.
"It’s our community coming together like we normally do on a Friday night, but this Friday night feels a little different. We are missing some people," Behzadi said.
Before kickoff, the game started with a moment of silence for the four lives lost on Sept. 4.
"I’ve lived in Winder my entire life, and it takes a lot of courage for these kids to come back and do this," one fan said.
Willie Sammons' son plays on the football team.
"Really pumped up about it," said Sammons when asked how he was feeling about being back at the home stadium. "I think these kids are going to rally together tonight and pull out a good win for this because it means a lot to them."
Jennifer Turner was also rooting for her son, who plays for AHS, tonight.
"Those boys mean a lot to me. I just know they’ve been through a lot of hurt. I just feel this is a way to help them grow and heal," she said, with tears welling in her eyes.
Her sister-in-law, Sonya Turner, agreed.
"Everything has been a step in healing. We all have good days and bad days," said Sonya, who is a mom to two AHS students. "To be able to come together and have fun makes a big difference."
Jennifer and Sonya both talked about how the community rallied around the school.
Some Jackson County fans wore "Love Prevails" t-shirts, a nod to Barrow County Sheriff saying "love will prevail" shortly after the shooting.
The Jackson County football team also warmed up "Apalachee Strong" shirts.
"Everybody needs it," Jennifer said. "The whole community needs it."
Sonya said moments like a football game add some brightness to a dark time.
"That’s what it’s been about, just a little bit of light," she said. "That’s all we needed. Just a little bit of light. So we can see a little bit, then we can get to the end of it."