Fielder’s Choice
I’d kept an eye on the forecast all week.
It was homecoming Friday night for Holly Springs, Marshall Academy and Byhalia.
Plus, Potts Camp and H.W. Byers were playing at home, too.
As it drew closer, I expected maybe some light rain, but I didn’t expect what we received – thunder, lightning and at some sites, lots of rain, too.
Strict lightning guidelines are in place from the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. No game is important enough to risk a life during a severe storm.
I was in Holly Springs and monitored what was going on at all locations, via help from school administrators, coaches and others.
And as information became available, I posted it via the newspaper’s Twitter – @South Reporter.
Potts Camp, Byhalia and H.W. Byers all started a little later than the normal 7 p.m. kickoff time. The Cardinals and Indians got in complete games versus Tupelo Christian and Coldwater, respectively. Byers’ game was stopped in the second quarter.
At Holly High, the game versus Tishomingo County was postponed until Saturday at noon.
At Marshall Academy, the game started at 9:15 Friday night, after the lightning had drifted far enough away, and finished at 11:45. Their opponent was Winona Christian.
Each situation was different, and each was handled correctly by administrators and game officials. We thank them.
I’ve covered games in torrential downpours. In fact, at Holly High’s game Saturday afternoon, the rain fell hard in the late third and fourth quarters.
But I don’t like going to the pressbox. I prefer the sidelines. I’ve been on the sidelines on Friday nights for more than 35 years.
Once, at a junior college game, I was forced to the pressbox. It wasn’t because of the heavy rain; it was because of lightning.
I take it seriously, and thank goodness both the MHSAA and MAIS, plus our county administrators and coaches do, too.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says that during the 10-year period of 2004-2013, 33 people were killed and 234 injured by lightning strikes annually. On average, lightning strikes are fatal to about 10 percent of people who are struck.
This past weekend, with three homecomings, turned out pretty good after all for The South Reporter staff. Demill Dixon was able to shoot Holly High’s homecoming in pre-game Friday, go to Byhalia for the game and homecoming festivities, and then also photograph the Holly High game Saturday.
I covered Marshall Academy Friday night and Holly High Saturday for game stories.
And I had help from Linda McKinney, Penny Lomenick and Theresa Bolden-Devore with photos from MA’s homecoming activities, which were moved to the gym in pre-game.
Thanks to the fans for supporting our teams.
And homecomings are even more special, with lots of alumni gathering for happy reunions.
Potts Camp and H.W. Byers will have homecoming games on Friday, Oct. 12.