We were ready for some rock ‘em-sock ‘em high school football last Friday and we got it.
It pitted Dutch Fork, probably the best high school team in our state, against Mallard Creek, one of the best in North Carolina.
As far as this year’s season or the playoffs go, the outcome meant nothing.
The teams play in different states and conferences. 
The only reasons to play each other were to:
• Test yourself against another great team.
• Learn what you could from the experience.
• Appear on ESPN 2.
The last was a motivator but the 1st 2 reason were what it was all about.
Game called
With less than 5 minutes to play in the 4th quarter and the score tied at 27-27, the game was called due to a 3rd lightning delay.
Both teams went home without a win, without a loss either, but with a real test of skill, talent, endurance and heart.
Both coaches were confident their team would win.
Mallard Creek coach Mike Palmieri told Charlotte Observer sports writer Langston Wertz he was “real disappointed” his team didn’t get a chance to win.
Mallard Creek had rallied to take the lead, then lost it and came back to tie the game on Dutch Fork’s field.
“We’ve got the ball,” Palmieri said. “You work hard all summer for something and all of a sudden, something happens that you can’t control. That’s frustrating.”
Mallard Creek was at the Dutch Fork 14 yard line, 3rd and 12 yards for a 1st down.
Then play was stopped again due to lightning. 
Near midnight, Dutch Fork called the game.
The players had been on and off the field since 6 pm, tired, hungry and badly in need of rest.
Was it the right call?
You can argue with me but I think so. Mallard Creek faced a 2-hour drive home.
For either team’s season, the final score meant only bragging rights.
What’s at stake?
Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts said it would’ve been at least 12:45 or 1 am if they had resumed play.
Knotts is a veteran of such games. His teams have won 7 state championships in North Carolina and 4 at Dutch Fork since 2010.
He felt confident his Silver Foxes would win even though Mallard Creek had a powerful rushing game and was within yards of making a go-ahead score.
Knotts said he felt Dutch Fork would stop them on 3rd and 12, block a field goal attempt, get the ball back and win the game.
“I think we rose to the occasion,” Knotts said. “I was a little surprised by our defense and our third down defense and pass rush. Mallard Creek was massive. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a team with that many men on the field. T.L. Hanna was big, but they made T.L. Hanna look like a small team. We were game and hung in there.”

He said he thought his team seemed fresher although Mallard Creek players were bigger, hit harder and were starting to dominate the line of scrimmage. 
None of us will ever know which coach would have been proved right.
But the opportunity to play such a game, even if key players may have been injured, was a great opportunity to test yourself.
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