NINETY SIX, S.C. — Ninety Six’s first home football game of the season turned into a two-day event after lightning and heavy rain stopped play Friday night, but the Wildcats returned Saturday and held on for a 28-26 win over Landrum.
Ninety Six was ahead 14-6 near halftime when lightning moved into the area around Wilson Campbell Stadium. The game was announced delayed over the PA system, and under SCHSL rules, each subsequent strike reset the 30-minute delay clock.
Players headed to the locker room while cheerleaders and spectators moved into the A Gym at the Ninety Six Athletic Multiplex. At its busiest, around a hundred people were inside. Others stayed closer to the stadium and took shelter under the overhang behind the press box.
The rain, light at first, became much heavier around 9 p.m. Within a few minutes, water was pouring across parts of the multiplex, and South Cambridge Street had begun to flash-flood. Cars still made their way through as people left the stadium.
Officials eventually suspended the game for the night.
When play resumed at 1 p.m. Saturday, Ninety Six still held its 14-6 lead. Landrum tied the game at 14 with 8:39 left in the third quarter, but the Wildcats answered and were back in front 21-14 with about three minutes remaining in the period.
That score held until the fourth, when Landrum pulled within a point at 21-20.
Ninety Six scored once more, and Landrum did the same, leaving the Wildcats ahead 28-26 when the game ended shortly before 3 p.m.
The win moved Ninety Six to 1-1 after a 49-21 loss at Mid-Carolina in the season opener.
Maycie Krajewski and Jeremy Lauten contributed reporting.
