The Apalachee High School Wildcats in Winder, Georgia, stepped onto the football field this past weekend after an almost four-year losing streak, and nearly a year after a devastating school shooting that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers — including the team’s defensive coordinator, Richard, aka, "Ricky" Aspinwall.
In "Eye on America," which airs on the CBS Evening News on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+, Atlanta-based National Correspondent Skyler Henry explores how the Wildcats have found a reason to cheer again. Henry reports that under a new coach, with fresh energy, and a community still healing, the team earned its first win since 2021, which is a victory that meant much more than the final score for players, families and the town.
"The team doesn't even know what a victory feels like," Henry tells Wildcats coach Kevin Saunders in a sit-down interview. "No, they don't," Saunders responds, adding, "They have not won a varsity football game...nobody in that locker room has." Saunders continues: "Being a leader is not easy, and being a leader is not always accepted. If you want to be accepted, you sell ice cream. Everybody likes the guy who sells ice cream."
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After nearly four years without a win, the Apalachee Wildcats finally tasted victory. Their first win since 2021 is more than a score — it’s a sign of resilience, hope, and a community coming together after a tragedy that took the life of the team’s defensive coordinator.… pic.twitter.com/P20oQDfG7r
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) August 18, 2025
One is clear: Saunders is a coach who wants to win, and his players are up for the challenge. "We've got kids who have never played before that want to be a part of something now," he explains. "And that can be a reflection of what's happened in the past with the tragedy. It was just eleven months ago that the shooting happened, and the students, and their respective community, are still in a period of mourning and healing. To deal with the trauma of Saunders enlisted the help of mental performance coach Christian Guerra.
The story of Apalachee Wildcats is a tear-jerking one, full of resilience, bravery, courage and teamwork.
You can read Henry's full story here.
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