Tornado warning prompts Jays football game to be moved to Adkins Stadium

The Class 3-5 state track and field championships were moved to three locations after the May 22 storm damaged parts of Adkins Stadium, including the press box.
The Class 3-5 state track and field championships were moved to three locations after the May 22 storm damaged parts of Adkins Stadium, including the press box.

KIRKWOOD - A little more than three months after a tornado damaged Adkins Stadium, the team that calls it home will begin its season there because of a tornado warning.

The Jefferson City Jays football team was scheduled to open the season Friday night in Kirkwood, but the game was postponed for 1 p.m. today at Adkins Stadium.

"I hope we're not bad luck," Jays coach Terry Walker said. "I would just assume it's coincidence."

Kirkwood Pioneers football coach Farrell Shelton contacted Walker about 21/2 hours prior to the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff as the Jays were about 10 minutes away from arriving at Kirkwood High School.

The two agreed to postpone it and change the game's location.

"Just based on the forecast and the lightning delays, and they have limitations with a curfew," Walker said.

With the varsity game being moved to Jefferson City, today's ninth-grade and JV games that were scheduled to be played at Adkins Stadium are canceled.

The varsity contest was changed to a home game for the Jays because it made it easier to get officials.

"I would guess our game is not the only game that's going to be postponed or canceled," Walker said. "There may be several issues with the officials tomorrow in St. Louis."

New turf was recently installed at Adkins Stadium and is ready for play.

However, the May 22 tornado damaged the scoreboard, which was removed, leaving the stadium without one.

The press box is still being repaired from the storm damage as well.

"All you need are officials, a clock and two teams to play a game," Walker said.

The play clocks at each end of the field are installed and Walker said he thinks they will be used today.

Parking will be limited near the stadium because of the construction at the high school.

Walker recommended using The Linc's parking lot across the street if the lot next to the stadium is full.

"There's going to be a lot of work by the athletic department to make this thing happen tomorrow," Walker said.