Maybe the team nicknames should have been a foreshadowing.

The St. Charles Cyclones hosted the Nashville Storm during their debut in Warrenton on Saturday. And for the second time this season, a meeting between these two minor league football powers was interrupted by the weather.

With 4:11 remaining in the second quarter, teams were forced to clear the field at Black Hawk Middle School due to lightning. 

A heavy downpour ensued, delaying the game until 10 p.m. By that time the crowd of around 100 curious fans had cleared out.

Nashville ended up escaping with a 27-23 victory, as the Cyclones fell to 6-4.

Quarterback and team spokesman Mike McMullen says it was a disappointing that weather became such a factor in the outcome.

“It was a well-played game by both teams,” said McMullen. “It’s just a shame that it comes down to a blocked punt because the punter can’t handle the wet ball.”

McMullen says the team was pleased with the turnout at their inaugural game in Warrenton. Several locals ventured out to check out the latest in Saturday night entertainment. The Warren County R-III Big Red Boosters were also on hand to offer concessions, keeping 100 percent of the proceeds.

“The guys thought it was a great crowd for our first time being up there,” said McMullen. “It’s a shame it had to rain, because the fans would have seen a good game. I felt like they did see a good game up (until it rained).”

With a thunderstorm moving in and lightning inching closer, a decision was made to delay the game late in the second period. McMullen says the teams were determined to get in a full game with Nashville having driven seven hours. They restarted the game at 10 p.m., the latest possible restart time according to McMullen.

The Cyclones trailed 20-17 when the game restarted.

The contest had taken a dismal turn for the host team during Nashville’s first offensive play. Storm quarterback Phellpe Hall’s pass was tipped and fell into the hands of a receiver who hauled it 55 yards to put the visitors ahead 7-0.

The Cyclones countered with a field goal, but Nashville scored the second of its four receiving touchdowns on the next series.

The Cyclones used the rushing game powered by Zack Abron and Keenan Miller to march down the field. Abron punched in an 18-yard touchdown with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Nashville climbed ahead 20-10 midway through the second period, as Hall continued his antics through the air. The Cyclones closed the gap just before action was suspended, as McMullen hit Matt Askew on a 30-yard catch at the goal line.

The Cyclones took control in the third quarter, when McMullen hit Miller in the flats for the go-ahead score. But Nashville would figure out the Cyclones’ defense, inflicting more points on them than any other opponent this season.

“If you had asked me before the game if we scored 23 points, would we win — I would have said ‘Absolutely,’ ” said McMullen. “No one has scored four touchdowns on us through the air this season.”

McMullen finished nine of 24 through the air with 126 yards. Abron rushed for 85 yards on 17 carries, while Miller had 54 yards on nine carries. Askew hauled in a pair of catches for 62 yards, and Jason Boyd had three catches for 29 yards.

The Cyclones will return to the Black Hawk Middle School field to face the East Central Missouri Eagles at 7 p.m. on Saturday.