DENHAM SPRINGS – After historic flooding decimated Southside Junior High School, coaches said it would take a miracle for the football team to have a season.

The school lost all of their equipment during the floods. But thanks to some local businesses and two NFL football players, they have some new gear.

WBRZ News 2’s Brett Buffington was live as coaches gathered the team to tell them the good news.

Baltimore Ravens Tight End Benjamin Watson, former Chicago Bears Charles Tilman partnered with Academy Sports and Outdoors and Excel Construction to raise $20,000 to help the team recover.

Watson donated $5,000, Tilman donated $3,000 and Academy donated $5,000.

The group, combined with donations from the local community doubled the original $10,000 goal to replace the team’s equipment. Now they are ready to play ball.

Brett Buffington will be live on WBRZ News 2 at 10 p.m. with an update on this story.