The day after winning their homecoming game against Hickory High School, the Lakeland High School football team woke up early to assist a couple whose house was flooded by Hurricane Matthew.

“We were just trying to be a blessing to somebody,” said Kevin Knight, the Lakeland football coach. “They’re like family anyway.”

The storm water eclipsed more than five feet and did significant damage to the Boones’ property on Gates Road.

Lakeland players, family and friends chipped in and helped clear out the house and clean the outdoor sheds.

Felicia Stokley, one of the Boones’ daughters, was appreciative of her friends and colleagues.

Both Mary and Joseph Boone were former Lakeland employees and have grandsons who played on the football team.

Knight said one of his players, Garrett Whitley, notified him about the Boones’ flood damage at their team meeting.

“Lakeland is family-based,” Whitley said.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., the players and coaches removed the carpet, knocked down walls and removed the furniture while family relatives and friends cleaned out the outdoor sheds and house accessories.

The couple was very appreciative of the volunteer help.

“I appreciate all the help they are doing,” Joseph Boone said through tears.

“I feel good because it’s less I had to do,” Mary Boone said.

Knight was also proud of his players for stepping up to help the beloved couple.

“They didn’t have to do this,” he said. “They had a bunch of other things they could have been doing on a Saturday. But they wanted to help out.”

Additionally, as a token of appreciation, the Boones prepared hotdogs, hamburgers and cold beverages for the volunteers.

Representatives from the city, state and FEMA were in attendance to assess the property.

On Friday, Benita Boone, the Boones’ other daughter, started a GoFundMe page to fundraise for the house repairs. To date, $275 has been raised.

Moving forward, Joseph Boone plans to air out the house and gather relatives to help rebuild it. After years of pleading from his daughters to relocate due to frequent flooding, Joseph Boone is considering moving elsewhere once the house has been restored. The couple built the home more than 45 years ago and has resided there ever since.