REPORTER: TONIGHT IS MORE THAN JUST A GAME. >> IT’S THE BIGGEST NIGHT I CAN THINK OF AT PHS. REPORTER: EACH AND EVERY SMILE -- >> EVERYBODY SO EXCITED. >> RAISING MONEY FOR OUR KID REPORTER: -- EMBRACE, REUNION, ARE FAR BUT GUARANTEED MOMENTS. >> MY TOWN JUST TO BE BACK ON THE FIELD AND WATCH THE FIRST PLAY, I LITERALLY GOT CHILLS REPORTER: RATHER, LIVING PROOF OF RESILIENCY. RISING ABOVE THE DARKEST OF ASHES. >> I THINK IT’S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY. THEY ALL NEED IT. REPORTER: SEVERAL THOUSAND ARE OVERWHELMING PARADISE HIGH SCHOOL, IN THE ABSOLUTE BEST WA >> THE TOWN IS JUST COMING BACK. AND IT’S ALIVE AND IT’S ALL JUST INCREDIBLE. REPORTER: THE CAMPUS, ONE OF T FEW REMAINING BUILDINGS STILL STANDING SINCE THE CAMP FIRE. BUT WHAT IS ABSENT FROM THE CROWD, STRANGERS EACH PERSON BOUNDED TOGETHER AS SURVIVORS. >> MY WHOLE HISTORY BURNED. I WENT TO THIS HIGH SCHOOL. I WENT TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT BURNED. EVERY FAMILY MEMBER’S HOUSE BURNED. MY EVERYTHIN REPORTER: NOW FACING RECOVERY STRAIGHT ON. TONIGHT, THEY’RE LOOKING WELL BEYOND THE SCOREBOARD. THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS, THEY WANT TO PLAY THIS GAME AND HOPEFULLY PUT THINGS BEHIND THEM. REPORTER: THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY. >> JUST TO SEE THE BOYS OUT THERE, ALL TOGETHER, THAT’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR. >> IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ALREADY WON. >> YEAH, WE WON BECAUSE WE ARE HERE. REPORTER: AND THE MEANING OF PARADISE STRONG. VICKI GONZALEZ, KCRA 3 NEW