The Florida High School Athletic Association fined Lakewood and Lehigh Senior a combined $1,800 and placed both football programs on administrative probation stemming from a fight following their game last week.
The fight began during the team’s postgame handshake.
Five Lakewood players and three from Lehigh Senior each received six-week suspensions. The Spartans also had another player suspended for a game for his involvement.
In the FHSAA report obtained shows that the names of the players were redacted.
Lakewood was fined $1,300. Lehigh was fined $500. Both teams also have to complete an FHSAA-sponsored sportsmanship program.
The players suspended for six weeks can return for the postseason if their team makes the playoffs. But the suspensions are not restricted to football. If the players compete in other sports, they would have to sit out until the suspensions are served.
“Coaches and administrators from Lehigh Senior High School took quick action to protect players and students at the end of last Friday’s game,” Lee County School District spokesman Rob Spicker said. “They met with the team and with parents first thing on Saturday morning to discuss what happened and worked with the FHSAA during its investigation.
“The school district will be adding postgame handshake etiquette to the Lee County Athletic Conference handbook. Administration at the school provided students, coaches, and parents a written document outlining proper etiquette for good sportsmanship, including FHSAA guidelines and rules for sidelines and player interaction. In addition, the team will participate in a seminar to educate them on appropriate good sportsmanship. Designed by the school principal, athletic director, and head football coach, it will include educational video, scenarios and guest speakers.”
Lehigh principal Jackie Corey and athletic director Nick Dysert were on duty roaming the visitor sideline throughout the game, according to the FHSAA report.
Corey said in the report a scuffle erupted near the home side of the field prompting Lakewood players to run toward the incident. She said she saw a Lehigh player “being pounded numerous by (Lakewood) players” and another one of her students “whaling on the ground because he had been pepper-sprayed” by police.
Another player, Corey said, fell to the ground complaining of severe pain and was transported to a local hospital in an ambulance.
Lakewood principal Erin Savage gave few specifics about the altercation in the report other than while coaches attempted to break up the fight on the Lakewood sideline another began at midfield.
A few Lakewood administrators reported an individual from Lehigh on the Lakewood sideline antagonizing Lakewood players during the game that got chippy at times, including an instance where the film shows a Lakewood player punch a Lehigh player following an interception.
Lakewood’s film crew was the only one to record incidents that happened during the handshake line. Review of the film showed numerous Lakewood players refusing to shake hands before a Lakewood player stormed through the line and was removed by his coach.
Lehigh coach James Chaney said in the report one of his players was pushed by a Lakewood player. After the Lehigh player put his hands up to avoid conflict, Chaney added several Lakewood players started to punch his player.
There were two instances where Lakewood players tried to use their helmets as weapons, the report said after a review of the film. One Lakewood player threw his helmet at a Lehigh player and another attempted to swing his helmet at Lehigh coach Jelani Murray but was stopped by a Lakewood coach.
Following the incident, Savage said in the report she was met by obscene gestures from Lehigh players.
“As I and one of my assistant principals were walking up to the gym area to allow Lehigh players to retrieve their items, some of the players were giving us the middle finger through the bus windows,” Savage said in the report. “And we could see some of them on the back of the bus emulating a fight.”
Probation for both football programs ends at the close of the 20119-20 school year. If either school incurs further violations during that time, the result could be harsher penalties, including expulsion.
Both schools can appeal.