STAFF WRITER

Ann Arbor Pioneer would probably have a tough time deciding what was more threatening Friday night: the lightning that delayed the conclusion of its game with Canton, or the Chiefs' quick-strike scoring methods.

With 11:42 left in the fourth quarter and Canton on top, 20-6, officials postponed the conclusion of the game until Saturday morning. (Due to deadline restrictions, final results of the game will appear in Thursday's edition of the Observer.)

"It's unfortunate the game couldn't be finished Friday night because the players are going to be sore when they wake up Saturday," Canton coach Tim Baechler said. "I've seen games get delayed before, but not after three quarters have already been played. You can't mess around with lightning, though."

Speaking of lightning, that's how the Chiefs struck in the second half Friday night after trailing 6-0 at halftime.

Sophomore Deshon McClendon returned the second-half kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 6-6. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.

Two plays into the Pioneers' next possession, Canton safety Julian Smith picked off a pass and returned it 30 yards to paydirt. Erik McKey tacked on the extra point to make it 14-6.

Late in the third quarter, the game was halted for close to an hour due to lightning in the area, Baechler said.

When play resumed, so did the Chiefs' scoring surge. Junior running back Andy Rossow punched the ball into the end zone from five yards out to make it 20-6.

"The offense was a little shaky, but the defense was sound when we lined up correctly," Baechler said. "Pioneer was running a lot of different formations that we had to adjust to. They're a good team."

Seniors Jake Powers, Chuck Schumacher and Jeff Hudson turned in stellar efforts during the first three quarters and 18 seconds, Baechler said.