Safety first!

Wednesday night's football game between Decorah and Maquoketa was suspended with 9:29 left to play in the fourth quarter.

The action was taken in compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Iowa High School Athletic Association: "The safety of the players and spectators is always more important than the game!"

The IHSAA guidelines call for immediately suspending a football game when thunder is heard or cloud-to-ground lightning is seen.  Those guidelines also state that when a contest is suspended due to lightning, teams must wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning is seen or thunder is heard before resuming activity.

When Wednesday night's football game was suspended, spectators were told to head to the gym at Decorah High School--a step that is part of the lightning safety plan the IHSAA requires all school districts to have.