The FHSAA is not messing around when it comes to fighting during a high school football game in Florida. Deltona and Matanzas are both banned from the postseason after a full-team brawl during the handshake line last week.
This is a statement decision!
The Wolves and the Pirates are the second and third high school football teams in the Sunshine State to receive this kind of punishment on the same day! Miami Carol City was also placed on restrictive probation and removed from the postseason.
Deltona and Matanzas threw punches during a brawl.
Deltona and Matanzas were originally scheduled to play their game on Sept. 4. It was moved to Oct. 1 due to weather. Both teams were supposed to be off last weekend. They decided to suit up against each other instead.
Unfortunately, the makeup game caused more problems than it solved.
The Wolves defeated the Pirates by a final score of 21-12. As is customary, players from both sides met at midfield to shake hands after the final whistle. A Matanzas player pushed a Deltona player out of the handshake line. It very quickly devolved into a full-team brawl.
The sore loser push triggered a butterfly effect that led to multiple breakout fights at one time. Punches were flying.
Although nobody got hurt, the melee did not bode well for either program. The FHSAA reviewed the incident throughout the week. It handed down its punishment on Thursday. Deltona and Matanzas were placed on restrictive probation and multiple players from both teams will be suspended for at least one game.
Programs that are placed on restrictive probation have the “additional consequence of restriction from participation in championship competition.” Neither team will be allowed to compete in the postseason. They might also face monetary fines. Another such incident while on probation will result in much harsher consequences.
Florida high school football teams are on notice!
The good news for Deltona and Matanzas is this. Barring a miraculous run over the next few weeks, neither team was likely to compete for a state championship or even make the playoffs.
The Pirates dropped to 1-5 with the loss. The Wolves sit at 3-3 with the win.
Regardless of how the regular season plays out, the bad news is that they are now in trouble with the FHSAA and their players (especially seniors) won’t be able to play a complete season. It is not a good look for either program.
With that being said, they are not alone! Three programs got the boot on the same day.
The FHSAA is clearly making a conscious effort to crack down on fighting. Miami Carol City was also placed on restrictive probation and kicked out of the high school football playoffs on Thursday morning for a brawl last weekend.
This kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Teams that throw a punch will not be allowed to play for a title. Statement made.