By KG

October 23, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

You did not mention how much the fines were. One was $250 and the other was $150. I am sure that really hurt. The fine should have been a little higher or else do not even issue one.

By Wolverine fan

October 23, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Please get the facts straight. The Union Grove players only crossed the field to protect their teammates that were attacked by the Luella players. This was a terrible thing take happen but it has been blown way out of proportaion.

By Rudy

October 23, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the kids are just imitating the prima-donnas they see in pro sports. I think the latitude that GHSA has in issuing penalties is good. It gives the organization the opportunity to evaluate each incident on its own merit and hand down an appropriate punishment. However, I believe that if the lead official (umpire, referee, etc.) for the event were required to read a scripted statement from the GHSA to each team (everyone!) prior to the start of the game that would remind all that there are penalties for misbehavior, it would take hold rather quickly. Inappropriate conduct by spectators should be addressed swiftly and decisively as well!

By RC

October 23, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

It should have been worse when you had Luella players kicking kids in the head. That is assault!

By Dan

October 23, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

When Miami had that fight last year I found it laughable that part of the players punishment was to go to local high schools and talk to the kids about respobsibility! Riiight What they should have done and what they should do to HS kids who get in fights is, have them cleaning the school restrooms for a week or so. That would be far more effective in illustrating how far you can fall for being a knucklehead

By Edwin

October 23, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

The Glenn Hills-Thomson incident was not a fight. The coaches controlled their teams very quickly. If the game was close I would suggest that the officials would not have stopped it. The Glenn Hills coach rode the officials like a pack mule all night and I suspect they were tired of him.

By JMS

October 23, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

These penalties are not strong enough. This is not professional sports. This matter is one that must be taken seriously. All players involved in fights should not be allowed to play for a calender year. If we truly want this behavior to end, then we must take a strong stand against it.

By JW

October 23, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Google fight between Flanagan and Miramar in FL. Like 59 suspension(1 to 6 weeks) and 5 grand fine for each school from FHSAA!

By kfishdg

October 23, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

The GHSA is in coverup mode. 1. The players suspended were not all involved in the fight. 2. Several different Luella players and most of the Union Grove team who were not suspended for leaving the bench should have been. 3. The GHSA and the county do not want to take action to stop fighting. Taunting and showboating is the norm at all levels of sports today. Teams cannot even shake hands without problems erupting. Its time to stop it all before a serious injury occurs.

By Willie Johnson

October 23, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

I officiated high school football for 28 yrs.The coaches curse around those players like it’s nothing..The players do tue same on the field..I was always told that we should present a positive image to the kids and believe me a LOT of coaches need their mouthes washed out with soap!!Before you epeak coach think about the lives you’re molding

By Max Power

October 23, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Fighting in HS football is awesome! Here are some other awesome things to do when playing HS football:

—Growing out your fingernails so that those people who showboat and roll their jerseys under their shoulder pads get cut every time you tackle them.

—Choking people in pile ups

—Punching people in the throat on the line of scrimmage

If you do those things, you’re awesome.

By Choadman

October 23, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

When I played ball in Detroit in the ‘70’s, we fought with weapons on the field…now THAT’S football!

By tiger7_88

October 23, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

This is what you get in a culture where disrespecting and taunting your opponent along with other visible shows of LACK of sportsmanship are redefined as “fun”.

It’s the Muhammad Ali attitude transposed to all of our youth. And Muhammad Ali, though a great fighter, for some reason I have never been able to figure out was respected and loved for these same kinds of disrespectful, unsportsmanlike actions. Heck, he was even “honored” at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

As ye sow, so shall ye reap. So why the heck is everyone so shocked and surprised?

By DKM

October 23, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

The officials need to be consistent! In our first game of the season, one of our players and two players on the other team were mouthing after every play. The officials did nothing and late in the first quarter one of the other players punched our player after a play and our player retaliated. Both players thrown out and suspended. Fast forward to last Friday, defensive back for other team is mouthing at wide receivers the entire game. One of our receivers is hurt from blow to the helmet no penalty on play. Receivers are blocking until whistle and are told by official to ease up as defensive back doesn’t like it. On running play, receiver knocks down defensive back with legal block to the chest. Defensive back comes off ground after the whistle and takes a swing at receiver connecting in the chest. Official throws flag for personal foul and receiver, who did not retaliate, asks the official why the defensive back was not thrown out? Official tells him to calm down and get back to his huddle! GHSA rules state that striking a player is grounds for ejection. What do you tell the receiver, who was punched after the ref’s comment.

By Dan

October 23, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

I am with you tiger Ali is the absolute anithesis of sportsmanship particularly amateur sports. An absolute disgrace that he was honored at the olympics

By Awesome Man

October 23, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Hey DKM, I would tell the receiver to quit being a p*ssy and beat the crap out of that DB the very next play. I would possibly run a play right at that DB, and have all of my lineman just run down the field and stomp on that kids throat. That’s how you play football!

By SKS

October 23, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

I thought these comments were edited before printing? If so, how were the ignorant statements made by “Max Power” allowed to be printed?

By Max Power

October 23, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

SKS, my statements were printed because I am awesome. Perhaps you didn’t see the sign that read “No P*ssies allowed” before entering this blog??? Grow a pair or get the hell out!

By Chains

October 23, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

SKS, Have you ever played football?? It’s a gladiator sport DUH!!! no room for sissys or cry babies. If you don’t like a little butt whippen, go watch golf….

By Grizzly Adams

October 23, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Luella plays dirty and went after Union Groves star athlete. Union Grove went over their to protect him while he was getting stomped on. It all dates back to Luella’s softball team getting embarassed in Regionals last year.

By Jerry

October 23, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

The team will remain nameless, but it is from North Georgia. They were at camp at West Georgia this past summer with another team and a fight broke out between the two teams. not only did the coaches not stop it, the JOINED in the fight! Afterwards they were told “the team that fights together wins together”!

By Hank

October 23, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Mininum Brain (Max Power)

You are SO bad! I would like to knock your jock strap up around your big head!

By Chief Bif Tree

October 23, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Minimum fines of $1,000 to the schools for first offense during season, increased significantly by further incidents.

Mandatory ejections and 2 game suspensions by all involved players. Dismissal from team for further altercations.

2 game suspension for Head Coach for each game incident that results in game cancellation.

Stronger action if needed for repeated offenses in the form of increased fines to the schools, game forfeitures, teams banned from playoffs,…etc.

By 05 grad

October 23, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

In 2004 when Lowndes won the Championship a fight broke out between them and Sequoyah in the playoffs. It was clearly the LHS players fault, but since he also happened to be a D-1 prospect the ref shrugged it off and said he didn’t deserve to miss the next week so all he got was a 15yd penalty. IMO if you start a fight no matter what your status is then you should be banned for the season.

By woody

October 23, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Your kids are out of control because niether you nor they have been educated properly. You rednecks never even learned the basics of morality.

You are your “KIN” will continue on the downward spiral and drag the country down with you.

By catchem

October 23, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

Pre-professiional sports primary focus should be based on developing and exemplifying character in the participants. When the participants come to the table with so little character and so much determination to avoid ever developing any that their performance and example becomes no more than gang-patterned idiocy, then they, and the program should be terminated and the aspiring participants left to the sand-lot. Organized sports from the High School level up have become no more than an opportunity for the punks to copy the very worst examples in the professionals, and they quickly color the good guys the same color they are. School is for learning!

By Cobb County Fan

October 23, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

I witnessed a pretty ugly incident at the Walton-Central Gwinnett playoff game a couple of years ago. Walton lost a hard fought game and Central Gwinnett deserved the W, but their students absolutely went nuts and rushed the field. Several were trying to fight or taunting the Walton players and the only folks I saw attempting to stop these idiots were the WALTON coaches. It starts with the coaches and the administrators at the respective schools, and the folks at CGHS really blew it that night. It is sad that this sort of thing happens with high school sports, but the adults involved need to set a MUCH better example

By KIDROCK

October 23, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

glenn hills had 3 guys stomping and beating one thomson player. thomson (6-0-1) is run like a military program. glenn hills is known for gang activity and thug athletes. thomson was up 35-0 and held glenn hills on four downs from the thomson one foot line. once that happened, the glenn hills thugs broke out in a huge brawl. These thugs ended up fighting each other and their coach bodyslammed one of their players.

By KIDROCK

October 23, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

glenn hills had 3 guys stomping and beating one thomson player. thomson (6-0-1) is run like a military program. glenn hills is known for gang activity and thug athletes. thomson was up 35-0 and held glenn hills on four downs from the thomson one foot line. once that happened, the glenn hills thugs broke out in a huge brawl. These thugs ended up fighting each other and their coach bodyslammed one of their players.

By UGHS SENIOR

October 23, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

I agree with grizzly adams. i remember the incident that occurred last year at the softball game between there seniors and ours. They have had plenty of chances to beat us fair and square and never have. If they want to play dirty then let them but do not blame it on us. I understand it was wrong to throw punches. This is not the UFC its football, but Luella needs to be real careful now because they have sparked a flame for a huge rivalry in the coming sports and for years to come. I am proud to say that we still hold are heads high!!!! GO WOLVERINES!!!!!!

By Penalty Joke

October 23, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

The penalty levied the two schools was a joke. They could pay that from their petty cash account. Spanking them with a feather is next.

By Football Dad

October 23, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Who will be paying the fines and with what? The schools with taxpayer money. I better punishment would be to suspend coaches. I have witnessed coaches teach kids how to break the rule and getting them to go after star players from the other team. Players are taught to do what the coach says if you want to play and some coaches have a whatever-it-takes-to-win attitude. Bar the coaches (and the players involved) from paractice and the field for a couple of games and see if it helps.

By Football Dad

October 24, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Also, the GHSA should train their refs better. I have seen some of the worst calls this year. I have worked the sidelines a couple of times and I saw refs who didn’t know the penalty for certain calls. One was made near the end of the game and was a factor in the outcome of the game. Send a senior seasoned ref that sits in the press box and makes sure the refs on the field get it right.

By Jerry

October 24, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Maybe someone can settle a “discussion” about a call in a recent game. Third down and 6 from the opponents 25. The QB keeps the ball around left end and is knocked out of bounds at the 3 and then hit after the play was over while laying on the ground. A dead ball, personal foul was called, but there was also a holding penalty called on the offense. The holding penalty was marked off, the the 15 yard personal foul was assesed leaving a 3rd and 6 or so. Should the dead ball personal foul resulted in an automatic 1st down???

By GE

October 24, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Linking this to Muhammad Ali is lauughable but expected. Race is always interjected by someone. I understand, because as much as we would like not to admit it, race, culture and class are real issues today. If they fight in school(like the Jena 6 in Louisianna), then they will fight on the field as well. At least the altercation did not include a noose as the fight might still be going on. I know nothing about Henry County, but I would bet the bank that Union Grove is predominantly white while Luella is predominantly black judging from the comments in this blog. I look at this as preparation for the fights these kids will have when they grow up in our society.

By SS

October 24, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Perhaps I am not worthy to write in this blog. I played, I coach, and I have three sons who played or are playing GHSA football. I have seen GHSA officials at their very best and worst and for the most part they do a commendable job. If I can be critical it is that they do allow unnecessary language from players and coaches. If they addressed it early on in a game perhaps it would stop. As far as fighting goes it is not a trend. Football is not about fighting and it never has been. The young man who cannot keep himself under control and the coach who cannot keep himself and his players under control has not place in any form of organized football. The fines levied were not severe enough unless the coaches are required to pay them out of pocket. If not, I agree with the individual who stated they should start at $1000. I don’t think race has anything to do with kid’s behaviour on the field. The most unsportsmanlike behaviour I have ever seen was from a team that was all white, playing a team with 4 or 5 black players. Coaches need to get a handle on their players. The only way to do so is to make them personally responsible not only for wins and losses, but for the character their players display on the field.

By Brian

October 24, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Jerry,

A personal foul does not result in an automatic first down in high school. The only penalties that do carry an automatic first down are defensive pass interference, roughing the passer, roughing the kicker or holder, and roughing the snapper (on a scrimmage kick).

By The Kid Who Knows

October 24, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

If UGHS knew how to control their players and keep them on the sideline maybe it wouldnt have gotten so big anybody think of that.

By GE

October 24, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

How do you control kids where on every play you are either knocked down or you knock somebody down? How many times have you heard parents say”hit somebody” This is a sport for gldiators. If it were not, then everyone would participate. Fights are inevitable. If Union Grove left their bench to go to the opposing teams bench, then they are at fault…period.

By Fit To Be Tied

October 24, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

It’s football not interscholastic ultimate fighting. Let the referees and coaches control the athletes, forget that, demand it. If a coach sees his player commit an un-flagged personal foul, pull the player and show who is in control.

Kids are going to get away with all they can. They need to be controlled.

As for the referees who don’t adequately punish violations or for the coaches who condone or teach judicious rule violations, they are sorry excuses for role models and teachers. Don’t call them “official” or “coach”, their name is “loser”. Some “losers” can have pretty good won-loss records and be popular with the home town fans. You are who you are.

By concerned football dad

October 24, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Mr. Swearngin and his staff will have blood on their hands because this will happen again. They had an opportunity to make examples out of UG and Luella and did not. I was at the game, both teams looked stupid and irresponsible. Both teams deserved stiffer penalties to ensure this doesnt happen again. $400.00 in total fines and a time out (not even probation) will ensure that it happens again. UG’s coach’s response in the media was just as damaging when he stated that it being blown out of proportion and his staff had it under control, NOONE had anything under control. His remarks and the county and states response will ensure it happens again soon and that eventually it will lead to a catastrophic injury or death. We need leadership at the high school, county and, now, state levels immediattly!

By Bryan

October 24, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

I was at the Luella-Union Grove game and noticed, from the beginning of the game, that there was a lot of taunting (D-hall stuff) between the two teams. It seemed especially so from a couple of the Luella football players—a DB and a running back who scored at least one of their touchdowns (BTW, Luella was the better team that night). Anyway, my point is that the refs were the ones who should have been in control and should have started penalizing this conduct early and often. The refs lost control which led to the taunting escalating into chippy behavior and then to the sideline fight. To Union Grove’s credit, the players did not initially leave their sideline. Only after the fight on the Luella sideline kept continuing did they finally leave their sideline (unfortunately encouraged to do so by a couple of Neanderthal adults in the stands who encouraged the team to go help their buddies). Bottomline, the refs have to control the action on the field. You can’t expect highschoolers with raging hormones to control their own emotions. The REFS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FINED (and then given refresher courses in how to ref) not the individual schools or players.

By Fit To Be Tied

October 24, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

Bryan: please tell me the coaches did something positive. It’s too easy to blame the refs. I assume football is the same as basketball where I here let “them play” all the time. Sometimes the refs can’t win unless coaches or school officials back them up. They aren’t perfect but in all but a few cases they don’t seem biased. Tell me the coaches did something positive.

In a recent game I sensed some biased spots of the ball during crunch time. It could just be incompetance. Life sometimes sucks. No reason to get violent.

By GE

October 24, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Why are people so upset at taunting when it is a way of life in America. I am sure we all have had a close encounter with a driver on our freeways here in the Atlanta area. If you have not, be assured that you will. The same is true for football. If you do not like it, then sign your kids up for soccer or tennis. Oh, I forgot…they taunt here as well. I guess it is not all a blacks with thug mentalities as is suggested in this blog.

The problem begins in Youth football leagues where parents completely lose their mines. Don’t blame the officials or the kids. Blame the parents.

By Bryan

October 24, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Fit To Be Tied: I think both head coaches and coaching staffs did try to defuse the situation. I was closest to the Union Grove coach and he definitely was not happy with his team and was letting them know that—long and loud.

My point about the Refs is that they are the Cops on the field. Let’s face it, if we weren’t afraid of getting speeding tickets we would probably all speed—a little or a lot. The threat of the ticket keeps us honest. The same goes for the Refs. The threat of a yellow flag keeps the football players honest, but only if the Refs USE that flag. In my opinion, the Luella-Union Grove game got out of hand because the Refs let it get out of hand.

By Hmmmmm

October 24, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Here’s an idea. Train and ARM the referees with TAZERS. When something starts, tazing the first couple of players involved will keep the other from joining in. NOONE wants to feel 50,000 volts.

By Lee

October 25, 2007 3:21 AM | Link to this

30 years ago, when I played high school ball and things would start to get hot, our coach would tell us “if you got something to say, say it with your shoulder pads.” Good advice for today as well.

Of course, that was about the time that Billy White Shoes Johnson began the look-at-me-dancing-in-the-end-zone-like-a-queer routine and things have gone downhill ever since.

As much as I love sports, money has ruined it for me. I seldom watch pro ball and college is getting just as bad.

Back in my day, the PE teacher was the head coach and the assistant coaches were teachers who might have played a little high school ball. Today, you have head coaches who pack up and move to a different school and take most of their assistant coaches with him. The new school will make positions for all of them. There are a lot of coaches out there making more money than the principal.

I also agree that the Refs can let a game get out of control.

You want to eliminate brawls, how about this rule:

If a fight is one-on-one, you eject the player who started it. If two or more players join in, you start fining the head coach, starting at $1000.

By GoodScout

October 25, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

As an game official, let me contribute a couple of things to the thread:

Personal fouls are not automatic first down. Taunting by rule is an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. 15 yards. Period. When players talk across the lines to each other, they get a warning from me. Then I ask the coach which they’d prefer: Taking the player out for a couple of plays to them cool down, or me just flagging them for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The coaches always choose the former. If you’re a player and you swing at another, kick another player, choke him in a pileup and I see it, it’s a flagrant foul. 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct and an instant ejection. That’s the rule, and I enforce it. You are correct about one thing. Good officials know how to talk to the kids and keep things under control. But sometimes, the direction and coaching they get regarding sportsmanship (almost always from assistants, never the head coach) is sickening.

By Fit To Be Tied

October 26, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

God bless good officials.