How a ‘strange deal’ caused a Florida high school football game to end after 3 minutes - USA Today
Buchholz head football coach Mark Whittemore has seen and experienced a lot of unique things throughout his coaching career.
However, what transpired Thursday night, Sept. 10, against West Port (FL) is something he's calling one of the craziest experiences he's had as a coach.
With 8:59 remaining in the first quarter, Buchholz led West Port 21-0 after having scored on three of the four offensive plays they had run so far in the game. Then lightning was detected in the area and the game was put on hold.
Instead of waiting out the delay, the game was called after just 3:01 of it being played, giving the Bobcats the 21-point victory and moving them to 4-0 on the season.
"To have that few of plays and to go ahead and call it because of weather, it's definitely a strange deal," Whittemore told USA TODAY Sports.
The Bobcats took the opening kickoff past the 50 and a play later, running back Joshua Menefee scored to put them up 7-0. West Port fumbled on its first play from scrimmage and after taking it down to the 1-yard line, Menefee scored again to put Buchholz up 14-0.
West Port would go three-and-out on its next drive. Buchholz junior quarterback Andrew Whittemore then connected with Koy Frier on a 15-yard pass, followed by hitting Dominick Harvey a play later for a 25-yard touchdown.
After that touchdown, Buchholz went to kick the ball off but lightning was detected in the area and the game was over. In total, both teams each ran four plays from scrimmage while they were on offense.
"It was a fascinating little turn of events," Whittemore said. "We go to kick off, and the game was called because of lightning and the decision was made that lightning was going to be lasting too long and agreed to call it a night. It was just a strange situation.
...sometimes you can't control the weather so just knowing that you're not going to get it in until late and with three quick scores like that, you want to play it accordingly. I didn't want people to get out there and get hurt."
Buchholz heads back on the road next week for a huge showdown with Jesuit (FL). West Port (FL) is now 1-3 on the year and will travel to North Marion (FL) next Friday.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports onInstagram andX.
