Football field struck by vandals fixed

ANSONIA, Conn. (WTNH) -- It was badly damaged by vandals; students in Ansonia were let down because their beloved football field was severely torn up.

News 8 first learned about the damage when a viewer sent pictures to our Report It inbox.

And following our coverage of the story, came an outpouring of community support, to help get that field fixed for the benefit of the children who use it.

Football fans in Ansonia count down the minutes to Friday night football. Especially, the first home game that seemed impossible just a few weeks ago.

"I was like wow."

That was senior offensive and defensive starter Hezekiah Duncan's reaction when he saw the football field he'd played his final season after being struck by vandals.

"And now what are you saying? 'Wow' again," asked News 8's Erin Logan.

"Yeah. They did a really good job," said Duncan.

Dismissal time couldn't have gone faster at Ansonia High School as Duncan and his sister Kayla, a freshman, were pumped for the first home game on a field the entire community banded together to raise thousands and bring back to life after vandals destroyed in late July.

"After getting vandalized you appreciate it more and it's just..you try to soak it all in," said Duncan.

"At the games in Ansonia you can feel the spirit," Kayla said. "Everybody is real excited. They've been talking about it all day."

"I've been to all the home games," said Marcos Espinosa, freshmen. "They won the state champs last year."

Yes they did, Class M state champs. Coach says that's of course the goal again. And they'll start by making Friday night's game on the new field against Woodland a win.

"We are playing against a good football team and that adding to it and the kids really haven't been on the field since last December when we had a playoff game there," said head coach Tom Brockett.