Paradise found: a high school football team's rise from the ashes

Relates the devastating impact of the 2018 Camp Fire on the town of Paradise, California, and the efforts to rebuild the town's high school football team, describing how the revival of the football program helped to renew the spirit of the entire town.
November 8, 2018. The Camp Fire ravaged the town of Paradise, California, killing 86 people; nearly every building and home in the town was reduced to ashes. The Paradise High football team had long been the town's source of joy and inspiration, but in the wake of the fire their season was canceled on the eve of the playoffs. It wasn't clear whether Paradise High would even continue to exist. Of the 104 football players, 95 had lost their homes. Coach Rick Prinz realized he couldn't walk away. With his varsity squad down to 22-- most homeless, sleep-deprived, lost, without even a football on the first day of spring practice-- it was the beginning of a memorable journey. Plaschke followed the Paradise Bobcats throughout their most remarkable season, and reveals the unique power of sports to unite, to inspire, and to heal. -- adapted from jacket