August 29, 2011

After last Tuesday's earthquake, the fate of Louisa County's football season was unknown. The epicenter of the 5.9 quake was located just minutes from the high school and it's effects devastating to the community.

"I was in the main gym at the time, the building starting shaking and I didn't know what to think," said sophomore Raheem Johnson, a wide receiver for the Lions' football team. "It sounded like a train had hit the building, you heard it before you felt it."

"It started out like a foot stomp, then it steadily increased," said junior quarterback Zach Jackson who was also in the gym. "Within five seconds, it was full blown...everyone just panicked and we didn't know what to do."

Without access to their equipment and safety concerns about facilities, the team was forced to miss their season opener against Eastern View on August 26. But since then, the Lions have been practicing regularly at the middle school. On Monday, the team found out that their football stadium, "The Jungle," passed a final inspection and will be ready for game time Friday night.

"I'm just ready to step on the field tomorrow if we could, it's just exciting, it's overwhelming right now," said Jackson.

The Lions will square off with rival Orange County at 7:30 p.m where they hope to open their season with a much-needed victory.

"This community already rallies around the football team so it's not like they needed a rally cry," said Head Coach Jon Meeks. "So the fact that they have one, I think it's going to be even more insane here. The Jungle's gonna be crazy."