The much-needed weather really didn't scratch the surface of the rainfall deficit the area has experienced, but did have an effect the games played, dare I say, internationally.

The Giants and Dolphins squared off in the European realm Sunday and the field was absolutely saturated. I think they forgot about the mild, marine west coast climate. The weather led to a messier game than the teams are used to playing in the sloppy 13-10 mud match.

Rains here shifted Knightdale and East Wake's games to Monday night, and the Warrior soccer team's impressive conclusion to a season was also postponed.

The good thing about this weekend was the freedom the weather offered to people who are normally booked all day long. The local recreational-league football games between Knightdale and the Comets of Clayton were bumped back a day to avoid tearing up the Knightdale field that hosted homecoming against Clayton Monday night.

I strolled over to Knightdale Sunday to watch the Mighty Mite game and I must say I was impressed. The Comets and Knights Mighty Mites both entered the event unbeaten. Unfortunately for Clayton, Knightdale is big on their youth league football. In fact, the atmosphere defined football. People are more involved in these games than I have seen at some of the high school games. It put off more of a care-free vibe than the high school games, but was in no way care-free. There are so many people involved in these events between fans, players, cheerleaders and coaches it is easy to figure out what parent involvement is really about.

What's better than the atmosphere is the entertainment itself.

Those little guys can run fast, juke and hit hard. I heard a hit at the end of the first half that I didn't even have to see. It hurt to hear. Everyone wins the war when the players are having fun and the crowd loves to watch their kids and friends' kids in action. The battle, however always has a victim. Clayton fought hard to hold the Knights' down in the first half, but never got the ball moving on their own offensive drives.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming Knightdale-East Wake high school match up this Friday. Both teams struggled throughout the season, and the border grudge will be a highwater contest for this year, as neither team's record is truly repairable in the last week of the season.