VERO BEACH — The Treasure Coast's most anticipated high school football season opener was interrupted by Mother Nature.
Horns blared from the Thor Guard Lightning system at Vero Beach High School 10 minutes before to the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff between Jensen Beach and Vero Beach.
The contest was delayed due to lightning on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 from the Billy Livings Field at the Citrus Bowl.
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Fans were asked to vacant the stadium shortly after the host school’s Senior Night festivities concluded and the nation’s colors were set to be presented for the national anthem.
The matchup marks the first regular-season meeting between two of the area's premier programs.
The Falcons enter the 2026 campaign fresh off their third district championship in four years.
Meanwhile, Vero Beach is coming off its best season since 1981. The Indians posted a 14-1 record in 2025 and finished as the Class 7A state runner-up.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Lightning delays Jensen Beach/Vero Beach high school football game
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