The crowd was anticipating another classic match-up of Monroe County football foes as Columbia and Waterloo kicked off under the Friday night lights at CHS.

However, the fanfare will have to wait as the game was postponed due to lightning and an eventual thunderstorm and will resume Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Things started off well for the visiting Bulldogs, who are trying to avenge last year’s 19-13 loss at home to the Eagles. After Columbia’s defense had forced them to punt on the opening drive, the Eagles muffed the return and Waterloo recovered on the Eagles’ 20 yard line. Three plays later, Waterloo quarterback Aaron Laskowski passed it to Rick Wiegand for a 17-yard touchdown and the extra point made it 7-0 Waterloo with 10:17 left in the first quarter.

Play will resume Saturday at the midway point of the first quarter.

Overall, Waterloo leads the series against Columbia, 15-13, since the rivalry began in 1983. The last five games between the two teams have been decided by seven or fewer points.

Columbia entered the game ranked seventh in the state in IHSA Class 4A. Last week, Waterloo came from behind to beat ninth ranked Herrin on the road, 28-27. The Eagles easily handled Wood River last week, 62-0. and have not lost a regular season football game since Aug. 31, 2012.

In other local football action, the game between Dupo and Breese Central will resume at 6 p.m. on Saturday after it was also postponed due to the storm.