Project link: http://www.DesMoinesRegister.com/parkersburgfootball
Site and team photo graphic: Michael Corey
Story: Reid Forgrave
Photos: Justin Hayworth
Video: Todd Bailey and Justin Hayworth
Parkersburg, Iowa, has always shouldered more than its share. Before May 25, 2008, the town was best known for the four NFL linemen produced by the school’s small but powerful high school football team.
Since that Sunday, though, the town has endured more hardship than any town could be expected to overcome. A massive EF5 tornado killed seven people and devastated the town’s homes, businesses and schools.
Over the next year, residents rebuilt their homes and their lives. One of the most important milestones in that recovery was the Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons’ return to the field.
Several players and coaches faced dramatic brushes with death, but every team member had their own story. We couldn’t tell every one, but we wanted people to meet the entire team.
The Actioncript 3 team photo app I built includes a video player that pops up when users roll over a player with a featured story, and rolling over any player shows their name and position.
After the project was complete, the town suffered another shock: Ed Thomas, the team’s revered head coach, was shot and killed while supervising students in the school’s weight room. A former student and player was charged with Thomas’ murder.
Michael Corey is the digital innovations editor at the