JACKSON, Miss. – Officials are investigating a brawl that erupted over the weekend at a high school soccer playoff game between Gulfport High School and Northwest Rankin.
The fight occurred in the closing moments of Saturday’s match in Clinton, shortly after Gulfport had taken a 1-0 lead, its winning margin. It started when Gulfport’s Zach Windom tossed Northwest Rankin’s Arlington Shirley to the ground and started punching him.
Windom was ejected just before play resumed.
Gulfport athletic director Howard McNeill said disciplinary action had been decided as of Tuesday, but district policy would not allow him to disclose it.
Mississippi High School Athletic Association Associate Director Larry Thomas said the association is gathering information about the fight.
Northwest Rankin officials said they will not punish any players, although two were ejected from the match. Only Windom was ejected from Gulfport.
Referees had to stop the match for six minutes.