Lakeside-Stone Mountain game turns ugly late

Seven football players and two assistant coaches at Lakeside and Stone Mountain are suspended for one game after a fight ended Saturday’s game between the DeKalb County schools with two minutes to play at Panthersville Stadium.

The suspended coaches are Lakeside’s Terrance Banks and Stone Mountain’s Kevin Gray. Gray was suspended for criticizing an official before the fight, according to Stone Mountain coach Charles Reeves.

“One of their guys threw my guy down right on my sideline and started punching him,” said Reeves, whose team won 42-7. “Our guys reacted. Our coaches broke up the fight. The GHSA does what they do, and we’re OK with that.”

Lakeside coach Jeff Joiner said it couldn’t be determined who started it. “It’s just unfortunate, and it doesn’t look good on either of our programs,” he said. “We have to learn and move forward.”

GHSA executive director Ralph Swearngin would not release the players’ names — three for Stone Mountain, four for Lakeside.

The schools also will be fined. GHSA bylaws call for a $500-$1,000 fine per school for a multiplayer fight and $250-$1,000 for each player who leaves the sidelines to join a fight. Ejected coaches are fined $100-$250.