Saturday’s California high school football game between Central High and Justin Garza was called at the beginning of the fourth quarter after a wild bench-clearing brawl broke out between players and coaches from both sides. The Grizzlies were awarded the win but the ugly scene marred the victory.
Suspensions will come down when the California Interscholastic Federation reviews the matter in coming days. Rightfully so.
Central, the top-ranked team in the state’s Central Section, and Garza are both located in Fresno. Five miles separate the two.
Saturday was the first-ever football derby at Garza and it did not go well for the home team.
The Guardians fell behind 40-0 in three quarters. Grizzlies quarterback went 20-of-26 for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Brandon Smith went for 187 and three scores on just 13 carries.
However, the high school football contest did not go all four quarters.
Two players from opposing teams got into it during a Garza punt. Contact escalated after the play was over and quickly turned dangerous.
Video of the incident shows how everything played out. A Guardians player allegedly ripped off a Grizzly player’s helmet and hit him with it. Both sides went at it from there.
Football final
— PAGMETER (@PAGMETER) August 24, 2024
Central 40 Garza 0
Game called in the 3rd quarter after this ugly fight.
This is unfortunate that this happened.
Stay tuned on what will happen.
Give credit to the coaches who did what they could to stop it. pic.twitter.com/0b1tMe8wAG
The Central player’s helmet flies off around midfield. The ball was down about 40 yards behind him. Two players continue to throw haymakers at each other near the sideline. Members of the coaching staff wore multiple punches to the face while trying to break it up.
And another angle.
— PAGMETER (@PAGMETER) August 24, 2024
Madness https://t.co/Uqq9lwugqk pic.twitter.com/Rd0pNax5jC
Officials immediately huddled at midfield to discuss the best course of action. They, with the input of both head coaches, ultimately decided that it would be unsafe to do continue. Both teams went back to their respective locker rooms. The game was over.
Representatives from Central Unified School District will meet with the CIF on Monday to discuss the next course of action. The district will adhere to the Federation’s direction.