Lightning Delay Swings Momentum as Piper Falls to Dillard in Regular Season Opener

by Matt Rothman August 22, 2026

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Piper High School Football Team. {Bengal Broadcast}

A lightning delay came at the worst possible time for the Piper High School football team, which saw a six-point lead slip away in a 43-21 loss to Dillard High School in its regular-season opener.

The Bengals led 21-15 with 11 minutes remaining when the game was delayed by lightning. Following the stoppage, Dillard took control, scoring the final 28 points of the game to hand Piper its first loss of the season. Maksim Steuber threw a pair of touchdown passes, connecting with John Hodge and Phillip Adderly, while D’Tyker Marc broke free for a long rushing touchdown.

Piper was coming off a 6-0 win over Doral Academy in the Kickoff Classic and will face another test in its next game at Plantation High School on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m. The Paladins won seven games last season, including a 15-13 victory over the Bengals. Plantation will open its season against Coconut Creek High School before facing Piper.

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Matt Rothman: Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student.