By Wednesday afternoon, donors had contributed more than $4,000 to buy shoes for the players to use in Atlanta on the Georgia Dome's artificial surface, said Wayne Vickery, the school's athletic director.

"Our community has just been unbelievable as far as opening their pocketbooks," he said. "It's very expensive to buy shoes for just one game."

Vickery said the need spread by word of mouth and brought in contributions ranging from $100 to $1,000.

The Red Elephants, 13-0, needed a change of shoes before facing Screven County, also 13-0, in the semifinal AAA playoff game. With a victory, the Elephants would return to their old shoes the following week to play for the state championship at Bobby Gruhn Stadium.

Vickery said the shoes are just part of the story that's developing days before the game.

"The community is on fire," he said. "We'd been down (in football) for six to seven years. Coach Steve Wilson laid a great foundation. Coach Bruce Miller took it to another level. Shoot, it's exciting."

So far, more visible signs of support around the community have been harder to see.

Only 822 of the 2,000 local-ticket allotment to the game had been sold, said Beverly Nordholz, school secretary.

A few signs have been posted outside city businesses.

Kathy Ray, manager of the Western Sizzlin on John Morrow Parkway, was among the first to display "Go Big Red."

"We're just proud of them," she said.

Tomorrow, supporters may be wearing their own message of support.

Plans have been made to sell T-shirts at the school beginning Friday with one given to each football player, Nordholz said.

She said the balance of the about 275 white long-sleeved shirts with an image of an "elephant stomping to the Dome" would be priced $8 to $12.

School boosters also are planning their third weekly playoff breakfast 9 a.m. Saturday at the Longstreet Cafe, followed by a 10 a.m. pep rally at the school. A player's walk to the buses begins at 10:45 a.m., Nordholz said. The game begins at 3 p.m.

The school's alumni are asked to show their school spirit.

"We're asking anybody to wear a letter jacket no matter what year they got it," she said.

Vickery said the enthusiasm from the school's postseason journey has helped the athletic department's bottom line.

"GHS has not had to pay one penny," he said.