Stranded ETSU Football Team Overcomes Harrowing Ordeal, Rallies for Game Day

East Tennessee State University's football team faced a daunting challenge on their way to a crucial game against The Citadel, as they found themselves stranded on three team buses for hours due to catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Despite the harrowing experience, the Buccaneers managed to overcome the obstacles and make it to Charleston, South Carolina, in time for their scheduled 5 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday.

Resilience and Resourcefulness Shine Through as ETSU Football Team Navigates Treacherous Conditions

Treacherous Journey Begins with Bridge Collapse

The Buccaneers' journey began on Friday morning, as they departed Johnson City, Tennessee, for their game in Charleston. However, their plans were quickly derailed as floodwaters started to rise early in the trip. "We end up going over a bridge, and about 10 minutes later, the bridge collapsed," ETSU coach Tre Lamb recounted in an interview with The Athletic. With no way to turn back, the team had no choice but to continue their journey south.As the team raced through Asheville, North Carolina, to beat road closures and flooding, they received word that two-way traffic on Interstate 40 had been shut down due to flooding and mudslides. Their only option was to continue heading south on Interstate 26, but soon after, the team's cell service went down, leaving them without communication with the outside world.

Stranded and Isolated, the Team Faces Mounting Challenges

With no way to contact their families, the athletic department, or even the police officer escorting the buses, the team found themselves in a dire situation. "We didn't have service for 12 hours. No communication with anybody. Could not get through to our wives, our AD, our operations girl who was here at the hotel. That was the most frustrating part," Lamb said.As the buses hurtled down Interstate 26, one of the drivers received a CB dispatch from his company informing him that the highway was being shut down just six miles ahead. With floodwaters behind them and no alternative routes available, the team found themselves trapped.

Resourcefulness and Resilience Shine Through

Faced with the prospect of being stranded for up to two days, the team's coaches and staff sprang into action. They managed to secure 100 pre-made sandwiches, mostly tuna and chicken salad, as well as 15 loaves of bread and 15 jars of peanut butter from a nearby grocery store. The team then settled in for the night, turning out the lights on the buses and telling the players to get some much-needed rest.In a stroke of luck, two of the team's coaches were able to find a hotel with power and cell service, allowing them to contact their wives and pass along information about the team's situation. This proved to be a crucial lifeline, as it was the first time the team's families had heard from them in nearly eight hours.

A Glimmer of Hope and a Daring Rescue

Just when the team's spirits were starting to wane, a chance encounter with a helpful motorist provided a glimmer of hope. Around 1:30 a.m., the team was awoken by a loud knock on the bus window. It was the same motorist who had earlier given a ride to the two coaches. He had heard that Interstate 26 had reopened, and he was willing to lead the team through the treacherous conditions.With the police officer scouting the path ahead, the team's buses carefully navigated around fallen trees and floodwaters, eventually making it to Charleston at around 4:30 a.m. "Honestly, if it wasn't for the random guy they jumped in a car with coming to get us, we'd still be there. We were all asleep," Lamb said.

Overcoming Adversity, the Team Prepares for Game Day

After arriving at their hotel, the team was treated to a Waffle House breakfast before being allowed to rest. At around 6 a.m., Lamb received a call from the ETSU athletic director informing him that the game time had been moved from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., giving the team a bit more time to recover.Despite the harrowing ordeal, Lamb remained optimistic about his team's chances. "We're getting ready to roll. This is something we can rally around and make no excuses. This team will be ready to play," he said. "I had about 14 hours straight of anxiety, and I feel like calling plays is gonna be really easy today. Whatever happens, happens. We made it out of there."The ETSU football team's resilience and determination in the face of adversity is a testament to their character and the strength of their program. As they take the field against The Citadel, they will undoubtedly be fueled by the memories of their harrowing journey, ready to overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.