According to TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress, at least seven Coalfield football players may be forced to sit out Friday’s Class 1A quarterfinal home game against South Pittsburg.
An on-field brawl broke out between Coalfield and Lookout Valley players during the second quarter of last week’s second-round game at Coalfield and three players from both teams were ejected, including Coalfield senior tailback Allen Seiber, a 1,000-yard rusher. Each of those Coalfield players must sit out Friday’s game, but according to Childress there could be at least four others who will be ruled ineligible to play.
Per TSSAA rule, any player ejected from a football game is required to sit out the following game. When players leave the sideline to participate in a fight, the school will be fined a minimum of $250.
Childress said he met with Coalfield coaches and administrators Monday morning at TSSAA headquarters to review the game tape and has given the school until Wednesday morning to self-discipline. Whether further action will be taken by the TSSAA will depend on the punishment Coalfield administers to its program.
“We reviewed the video several times and identified at least four other kids that Coalfield needs to deal with other than the three that were ejected that night,” Childress said. “We will find out by Wednesday morning, but they need to deal with it to our satisfaction. If it isn’t a satisfactory punishment they recommend, we will deal with it ourselves.
“We’re also not going to make kids the sacrificial lambs. Coalfield’s administrators need to tell us how the adults are going to be held accountable because they were in charge. That needs to be dealt with, too.”
Fifth-ranked Coalfield (10-1) defeated Lookout Valley 57-23 last Friday and will host third-ranked and defending state champion South Pitsburg (10-2) in this week’s quarterfinal round. The Pirates beat the Yellow Jackets 54-6 in last year’s semifinals.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.