Hurricane Helene's impact was felt as far north as Bloomfield, Ind., last week, soaking a high school football game between Paoli and Eastern Greene — and bringing out the best in human nature.
As reported by Indianapolis NBC affiliate WTHR, the Paoli Rams traveled to Eastern Greene on Friday to face the Thunderbirds. Driving rain throughout the game made for muddy conditions for both teams.
Paoli won the game 38-12, rushing for 341 yards and five touchdowns as they improved to 6-0 on the season. Three days later, Paoli principal Ed Wagner learned that Eastern Greene athletic director Aaron Buskirk had submitted an Exemplary Behavior Report with the Indiana High School Athletic Association, recognizing the entire Paoli football team after the coaching staff and players cleaned the locker rooms they used in the Eastern Greene gymnasium, even sweeping and mopping the floors before making the hour-long bus trip back to Paoli.
In his letter to the IHSAA, Buskirk stated, "After Eastern Greene and Paoli played our Week 6 Football Game in the hurricane, Paoli's coaching staff and student-athletes cleaned the locker rooms assigned to them in our gymnasium. They swept and mopped both of them before getting on their bus to head back home. I appreciate their willingness to do this without being asked to do so and to help our custodial crew out after a very muddy night! Thank you, coaches and student-athletes, for leading by being servant leaders!!!"
In a Facebook post Monday, Paoli Jr. and Sr. High School stated, "Thank you to Coach (Neil) Dittmer and your staff for your leadership with our team, and thank you, RAMS, for representing PHS in such a positive way, even when you are far from home."
