A heavy downpour of rain and constant flashes of lightning strikes forced Morgan Academy to suspend its season opener against Pike Liberal Arts Academy on Friday night.

The seventh-ranked Senators and Patriots are scheduled to resume their contest on Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Morgan Stadium.

Morgan Academy coach Josh Thacker said a decision will be made at noon Saturday to decide if the contest resumes or gets cancelled. 

Pike Liberal Arts led 3-0 with 3:05 left in the first quarter. If the game resumes, Morgan Academy will have the ball at its own 25-yard-line.

The Patriots moved the ball against Morgan Academy’s defense, reaching inside the Senators’ 34-yard-line twice.

Cornerback Holt Utsey’s interception early in the first quarter prevented one Patriots score.  He later left the game with a leg injury.

The Senators’ defense responded with a goal-line stand on the Patriots’ next possession.

Pike Liberal Arts settled for a Scott Renfroe 19-yard field goal and the Patriots led 3-0.

Minutes later, a heavy rainstorm hit the area. Football officials urged both teams to leave the field and head into their respective locker rooms until the game was postponed.