PARKERSBURG - Aplington-Parkersburg football fans from across the state turned out en masse Friday night to welcome their high school team home.

The matchup against West Marshall was the first home game since an EF5 tornado ripped through the town May 25, killing six in this town and two in nearby New Hartford.

Fans filled the stands and lined the fences as the young men entered Ed Thomas Field under the stadium lights and a dented sign that proudly proclaimed this "Falcon Country."

The field survived the tornado, but the school is gone. A-P students now attend school at the former elementary school in Aplington.

It was not only the town that was excited, but the game caught the attention of the national media as well. Crews from ESPN and a production company in Los Angeles were filming the fans and players. KWWL aired the game live.

Dignitaries were also on hand, including Sen. Charles Grassley and Green Bay Packer Aaron Kampman. a graduate of Aplington-Parkersburg.

Cars started filling the lot before 5 p.m., though a constant rain kept most from doing any kind of tailgating. Sophomore cheerleaders Megan Paulding and Katie Busma said their classmates have been talking about the Friday night game all week.

"Everyone is really pumped up. I think just about the whole town is going to be here," said Busma.

"I know families from Minnesota and Wisconsin are evening coming," Paulding added.

In the stands, fans used taped-down blankets to save their seats from other fans and the rain.

Stephanie Key chose to weather the rain rather than risk losing her seat. Even though the tornado forced Key to moved to Cedar Falls, she has kept tabs on the community through her husband, an assistant A-P football coach.

"It's exciting to see this many people here," she said. "When those boys step on to the field for the first time tonight, it will be electric."

Portable stands were brought in to help with the crowd numbered in the hundreds.

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1426 or at emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.