Resilience Amid the Storm: High School Sports Persevere Through Hurricane Helene's Devastation

The timing and location of Hurricane Helene put thousands of passionate high school athletes in the midst of the fall sports season in its path. The states most heavily affected by the storm – Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee – are where high school sports are deeply ingrained in local culture. As communities grapple with the aftermath, schools and their athletic programs face an uncertain future, but their unwavering spirit shines through the adversity.

Overcoming the Odds: High School Athletes Refuse to Let the Storm Dampen Their Passion

Pisgah High School's Heartbreaking Setback

Pisgah High School in Canton, North Carolina, has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, but the impact of Hurricane Helene has dealt a devastating blow to their athletic programs. Heidi Morgan, the school's athletic director, reported that the football, baseball, and softball fields are submerged in several feet of water, rendering them "a total loss." The Pisgah Bears football team was in the midst of a promising 4-1 campaign, building on the momentum of four straight dominant wins. However, the hurricane has thrown a wrench into their comeback story, leaving the players and coaches to navigate an uncertain future.Morgan expressed her heartbreak for the students, particularly the seniors, who have endured a tumultuous high school experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 flood. "In high school, you have to have a sense of normalcy," she said. "Our seniors, they've played at Pisgah Memorial Stadium eight times in four years due to COVID and then the flood in '21. It's just heartbreaking."

Asheville Christian Academy's Devastating Losses

The sports facilities at nearby Asheville Christian Academy were also ravaged by the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Athletic Director Joe Johnson reported that the first floor of the school's three buildings was submerged, and the gym floor was destroyed. The athletic fields and tennis courts were also left in ruins, leaving the school's sports teams without a home.Asheville Christian's football team had a promising start to the season, with a 2-1 record, and was eagerly anticipating its homecoming game scheduled for October 25th. However, the hurricane's impact has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the team's ability to continue their season and celebrate their homecoming festivities.

Hampton High School's Devastating Loss

In Tennessee, Hampton High School suffered a devastating blow when the Doe River overflowed its banks, destroying the school's football stadium. The Carter County School Board unanimously voted to allocate $300,000 to clean up the flood-damaged property, but the school's insurer, Tennessee Risk Management, denied the insurance claim for the damage.The Hampton High School football team was off to a slow start, having lost its first three games of the season. However, just before the hurricane struck, the team managed to claim its first victory in a 60-14 blowout against Cumberland Gap at home. Tragically, this may have been the last game ever played at Hampton High School's stadium.

Lexington, South Carolina: Perseverance Amid Power Outages

In Lexington, South Carolina, the state that was hit hardest by power outages from the hurricane, American Leadership Academy running back and wide receiver Abraham Hoffman shared the challenges his team has faced. The school lost power for five days, and the football team only recently returned to practice, with their game postponed this week.Hoffman acknowledged that the constant power outages and the situation at home have been a distraction from his football season. "It does take a little bit of focus off the game and season because you have to worry about a lot of stuff that's going on at home," he said. However, Hoffman and his coach, Robin Bacon, have recognized that their team's struggles pale in comparison to the devastation experienced by surrounding communities.Bacon spoke with other coaches who described the affected areas as looking "like an atomic bomb hit." He emphasized the importance of appreciating the basic necessities that many take for granted, such as having a hot meal, electricity, and the ability to take a shower. "We take for granted having a hot meal," Bacon said. "We take for granted having electricity. We take for granted that we can take a shower. And I'm talking to some of my football players, and they're like, 'Coach, we don't have air conditioning.'"Despite the challenges, Hoffman and his team have resolved to push through the adversity. "You can't sit back and let it affect you," Hoffman said. "Even though we went through it, it was tough, the hurricane and stuff, There are places that had it worse."