CEDAR RAPIDS - The rain puddled on Kingston Stadium's turf and track, while lightning flashed across the night sky.
Weather confined Cedar Rapids Washington and Ankeny football teams to locker rooms and tunnels under the visitor's stands during a little more than three hour delay before Thursday's game was postponed.
The storm couldn't put a damper on Eric Addy's first season as the Warriors' head coach.
"I'm very excited," Addy said. "We played a lot of kids. I wouldn't say we're not necessarily ahead of schedule but we became competitive pretty quick, which is great."
The game was stopped after just 10 plays with 7:56 left in the opening quarter. School administrators said they were working on resuming the game Friday. Other details were not available.
Washington entered Week 9 with a 3-5 record, surpassing last year's win total. The Warriors posted a .500 record the final six weeks, beating Dubuque Senior, 27-7, in Week 8. They also battled Iowa City Liberty to a 27-22 result, leading in the third.
"Fortunately, we've strung together some wins," Addy said. "Maybe some wins that people counted us out in or wins they didn't get previously against teams. It shows growth. Games we let slip through our fingers, learning how to win them."
Addy said he welcomed when he arrived and loves being a part of the Washington community. He noted it has been "great" working with the players and helping them develop motivates him to coach. Addy has witnessed the Warriors embrace his philosophy.
"Taking a step in the right direction for a cultural standpoint has been the best thing this season," Addy said. "Guys really buying into what we're trying to establish. How we play football and how our program is filled. Our value system and what we value in a Washington Warrior football player, being a student-athlete, being tough and being together."
Addy was determined on improving participation numbers. He visited feeder schools like Franklin, McKinley and Harding Middle Schools. Washington will finish with more than 30 freshman involved this season.
Numbers are expected to continue to increase, according to Addy. He considers the players as his best salesmen, hoping they attract more athletes or get former teammates to return to the sport. Addy said coaches have met with current juniors and sophomores and goals are already being set for next year.
"There's a good sign of things to come," Addy said. "One of their goals is that they want to be practicing football in November. We don't want our banquet in the second week of November. We want to be playing football.
"They are more than ready to be held to that standard. I can't wait to see where we've taken this program, so far, and where it's going. I'm really excited for the future."