Weather would be the last thing to stop the Pattonville Pirates (2-1) as they played in their second straight game delayed by lightning last week, this time defeating the Parkway North Vikings (0-3) by a final score of 18-0.

During the game, similar to the Week 2 match-up against Wentzville Holt, there was a lightning delay. But instead of slacking off after coming out of the locker room, the Pirates upped their game.

At 9:10 p.m. with 8:12 left in the 4th quarter, lightning struck causing an 80-minute delay in the game at Parkway North. The teams returned to action at 10:30 p.m.

Ricky Brooks ended the game with a 70-yard pick-6 as time expired at 10:56 p.m.

On Sept. 1, long-time Parkway North head coach Bob Bunton announced that this season will be his final year. He’s been with the Vikings football program for 37 years, but the Pirates did not give him a nice retirement gift.

After Parkway North punted on its opening drive, the Viking defense forced Pattonville to call a timeout on its opening drive on 4th down. The Pirates came out of the timeout deciding to go for it resulting in Parkway North having to call a timeout of its own. The Pirates gained just enough for the 1st down, and a few plays later, Pattonville struck first with a 6-yard run by Andre Webb. The extra point was blocked and the Pirates led early with 3:42 left in the first quarter.

Just before intermission, the Pirates were trying to extend their lead when Parkway North’s Levi Hilton intercepted a pass and took off for 83 yards but was tackled at the 1-yard line by sophomore Alijah Carter as time expired in the half.

There was no scoring in the middle quarters of the game and then the sky opened forcing both teams off the field for the rain delay.

Pattonville had possession of the ball after the break and Shawn Brooks II scored a rushing touchdown just a few plays after the game resumed. The 2-point conversion was no good and the Pirates held a 12-0 lead with 3:04 left in the game.

“Me not being the starting running back, I had to step up and take control of my portion of the game,” Brooks II said. “I make sure to let myself know before every game to work hard, train harder and stay ready when my number is called.”

With the clock expiring, the Parkway North quarterback let a ball fly but it was picked off by Ricky Brooks for his first interception of the season. He returned the ball 70 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the game.

“My coaches motivated me in that moment,” Brooks said. “The only thing I thought was to get there [the end zone].”

Brooks is now focused on this week’s game against Webster Groves.

“As hard as it is, as a team, we have to remain focused and not worry about anything else,” he said. “Our main goal is to win and our dedication and training is put into that. We can’t allow ourselves to have any outside distractions.”