What was supposed to be a Friday night showdown between the Marquette Hilltoppers and Brookfield Central Lancers on The Big 920 WOKY’s High School Game of the Week will instead be a Saturday afternoon tilt without The Big 920’s call after lightning from two storm cells resulted in the postponement of the contest to Saturday afternoon.
The teams briefly came out to begin warmups around 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. kickoff, but were almost immediately sent back to their locker rooms after loud rumbles of thunder indicated lightning in the area. For player safety, WIAA rules dictate players are not to be allowed back on the field until 30 minutes pass following a local lightning sighting. When it became clear no such period would allow for both an abbreviated 20-minute warmup and an opening kickoff before 8:30 p.m., the game referees and coaching staffs agreed to postpone the contest to a 1 p.m. Saturday start.
The Big 920 will not be able to air the postponed game due to its commitment to carry Learfield IMG Sports’ coverage of the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers’ college football game against Northwestern. Pre-game coverage for the Badgers will begin at 7 a.m. with kickoff at 11 a.m. and post-game coverage to follow.
In an act of camaraderie and sportsmanship, Brookfield Central is reportedly allowing Marquette to store its equipment in the visiting locker room and will assist with bussing the Marquette team to the rescheduled game. It will mark the first time the Lancers have hosted a day game since the 2011 WIAA Playoffs.
MARQUETTE vs. BROOKFIELD CENTRAL: PPD (LIGHTNING)
Brookfield Stadium; Brookfield Central High School; Brookfield, Wis.
Game rescheduled for Sat., Sept. 28, 1 p.m.