Falcon fans in Parkersburg and Aplington are gearing up for their team's first home football game.

It's an exciting event every year, but this year it means much more.

In May an EF-5 tornado ripped apart the high school and damaged it’s football field.

That football field, and the culture of Friday night football games, is the pride of the community.

Thanks to a big community effort the entire summer, this year will be no different,

Finishing touches started at sunrise.

"We've waited for this since the tornado hit,” says Ed Thomas, the coach of the Aplington-Parkersburg football team.

Larry Cornelius used to play for Ed Thomas back in the 70's. Now, he's part of another team helping make today's game possible here.

"It brings back a lot of memories a lot of fun. Coach has been a hell of a guy to work with,” says Larry Cornelius, helping to clean up the stadium.

"Before 7 this morning, people were already reserving their seats, and to accommodate all those falcon fans they're bringing in extra bleachers from Iowa City."

"I wanted to put my blanket on the bleachers so I had a sure place to sit tonight,” says Judy Pruisner, a Falcon Fan.

She's had 3 grandsons that have played on this field.

It's taken 103 days of hard work. After the tornado hit-most of the stadium was damaged, the school-flattened. Not this is all they have left of their old high school grounds.

"Early in June I said we will have won by just coming up here and being able to play on this facility and that's true but as the game gets closer we want to win this game tonight."

Either way the game goes-this community has a lot to be proud of.

Friday Night Lights