LOUISVILLE, Ga. - Jefferson County had the edge against Thomson in every category but on the scoreboard Friday.

The Warriors moved the ball against Thomson at will, rolling up 12 first downs and 167 yards of offense through the first 32 minutes of play.

Thomson had just four first downs and 64 total yards.

Momentum said that the Warriors had Thomson on the ropes. But momentum doesn't count in the record books.

The only thing that will count is a 7-7 for a game that was halted with 4:47 left to play in the third quarter. The threat of lightning forced the two teams to let the rain take the victory.

"Me and Coach (Luther) Welsh just talked and said what's the sense of pushing on and getting somebody hurt in this," Jefferson County coach J.B. Arnold said. "If we wouldn't have been tied, I don't know. My deal is this was not a region game. There isn't no sense in risking it just to see who's better at playing through this weather."

Jefferson County (1-1-1) missed a golden chance to beat Thomson for the first time ever. It was a win that would have done a lot for team morale and the community support the Warriors are trying to build.

In the end, all Arnold could do was shrug his shoulders.

"I guess (Thomson coach) Luther (Welsh) just has a direct line to God and Mother Nature," he said. "I love the Lord and I'm close to the Lord. But I guess ol' Luther is closer to him than me."

Thomson took an early lead on a James Bonner score from three yards out. But Jefferson County came back with a one-yard sneak from quarterback Barry Bostic on the first play of the second quarter.

Most of Thomson's production came in the first quarter. The Bulldogs (2-0-1) lost two fumbles and didn't record a first down in their last three possessions.

Thomson's coaches privately went into Friday night's contest hoping for a miracle.

The Bulldogs saw a talented team that specialized in running the football out of the spread formation. The Warriors also throw the ball effectively.

Thomson's hopes took a dip this week with the word they'd be without two starters in the secondary. Bonner, their leading rusher was hobbling. The circumstances and the on-field results were not in their favor.

But that miracle came in the form of those flashes of lightning and a suspended contest.

"I guess we can't beat Mother Nature and Thomson," Jefferson County senior lineman A.J. Harmon said. "All the work we put in. This was supposed to be about redemption. We did it. But we didn't get it done before the lightning.

"Everyone says ties are like kissing your sister," Harmon added. "I don't have a sister. I've got a brother. Ties feel like kissing your brother."