(Photos via Cuatro Groos)

House Park's history and prominence in the Austin, Texas football community is so strong, it's one of their first concerns when threatening weather arrives.

With Hurricane Harvey poised to dump approximately 10 inches of rain on the Austin area between now and Wednesday, and nearby Shoal Creek prone to flooding, the 78-year-old facility is susceptible to flood damage. Just two years ago, the field flooded, damaging the stadium's fencing and field turf.

This year, players, cheerleaders, local Pop Warner leagues and parents from three teams that use the facility - Austin, Anderson and Bowie high schools - came together to fill sandbags to place along the fence lines, and help protect their beloved stadium.

"As soon as (the kids) started seeing the weather reports and flood warnings, they immediately said, 'We need to do something; we don't want to lose House Park,'" said Cuatro Groos, the vice president of Hill Country Pop Warner, whose son, Carsten, is a sophomore on Anderson's team. "They reached out to their parents, contacted the school district and said, 'What can we do to help?' The district was overwhelmed trying to deal with lots of (other) locations."

The three teams worked together to build a sandbag wall around the fence line that separates the field from the stands. 

The effort is even more urgent for Anderson, which is scheduled to play its season opener, the annual Taco Shack Bowl, on Thursday against rival McCallum.

"That would be a huge defeat for all of these teams," said Carolyn Abernathy, mother of Anderson senior parents Robert and Matthew, and one of the key parents in helping to organize the relief efforts. "(The kids) just responded. It's their field. They just love playing there, they love the Taco Shack Bowl, and to be defeated by a flooded field would be a hard hit. They were invested in it and they were motivated."

Lou, House Park manager, keeps watchful eye over #AISDProud field and facilities—coordinating volunteers, additional sandbags. #Harvey #ATX pic.twitter.com/Bxw86t0cx9

— AustinISD—Facilities (@facilitiesAISD) August 26, 2017

Despite their efforts thus far, Groos said there's no guarantee House Field is safe. Forecasters predict the slow-moving storm won't stop wreaking havoc in the Austin area for several days. Groos said Austin schools are currently scheduled to be in session Monday, but all athletic events this weekend were postponed or canceled. Texas begins its high school football regular season next weekend.

"We had work crews with the city and school district going down there this morning to continue the efforts," Groos said. "The kids may jump back in (and help) if it's safe.

"This is something that football really does well," Groos said. "With the ugliness we see on the news every day, if you're looking for a vehicle to teach kids how to work together, love and respect each other and really give to a greater good, I can't think of a greater sport than football to do it."