Upon Further Review – Long game saved plans for weekend

For those of you who stuck it out Friday night for the Pioneers’ marathon victory over DeKalb County, I salute you.

Even though the weather caused a lengthy delay, I heard no one fussing or complaining about the much-needed rain that fell across the county.

Lighting was the only concern Warren County fans had to contend with Friday night as the Pioneer football team had the game under control.

Midway through the weather delay, officials were contemplating on finishing the game or bringing the teams back on Saturday for the second half.

Now, I can only speak for myself, but coming back on Saturday wasn’t on my list of things to do. I was willing to stay all night to get the game in, so I could get you the top quality photos readers of the Southern Standard have grown so accustomed to from the sports department.

Truthfully, it was my wife’s birthday on Saturday and plans had already been made to go out of town for a nice birthday dinner. I’m sure as most of you know when you make that kind of commitment, there’s no backing out.

The whole time during the delay, in the back of my mind were flashbacks of a few years ago when Warren County traveled to Centennial. Pioneer fans were stuck in the middle of a severe thunderstorm, and the game was postponed until Saturday. Having to go back to Centennial the next day wasn’t a pleasant experience for anyone.

So even when the clock struck 11 p.m. and it was already past my bed time, there was no way I was leaving that field until I had the shots I needed. All in all things worked out and I was so grateful this wasn’t a road game.

It could have been a lot worse. We could have been playing at Bradley Central or Lincoln County and not made it home until 2 or 3 in the morning. But that would have still been OK with me. I was willing to sacrifice a night’s sleep as long as it kept my wife’s birthday plans from being canceled.

Regardless of the minor rain delay, Friday night’s game was exciting and Pioneer fans packed Nunley Stadium once again.

Fans got a chance to see the Pioneers in action with their new offensive set, and watched a defense that for the most part snuffed out any offensive threat by the Tigers.

Now, as far as the length of the game goes, total time including rain delay was just under five hours ‘ which made me a little curious as to the record for the longest non-delayed high school football game ever played.

With a little research, I found that in 1977, Detroit Northeastern and Detroit Southeastern played a 3 hour, 43 minute game, which saw nine overtime periods. At the end of regulation the game was tied 8-8, with the final score after overtime being 42-26. In case you’re interested, Southeastern won that battle.

The weather may have interrupted our game last Friday, but it didn’t keep them from playing. Both coaches, officials and WCHS athletic director Andy Jacobs have to be commended for keeping things together and sticking it out. They could have called it off, but they battled the elements and won.