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Hernando Today

Sharks Sacked by FHSAA

Dr. Wayne Alexander

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today Staff

Published: November 12, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - The ramifications stemming from Friday night's football melee between Nature Coast Technical and host Groveland-South Lake reached new twists Wednesday.
The Florida High School Athletic Association notified the Sharks and the Eagles that Friday's regular season finales games against Central and Tavares respectively will not be played.
In fact, the FHSAA indicated in a memo that "the football games scheduled for Nov. 14 have been forfeited by this office due to the unsportsmanlike conduct behavior which took place Nov. 7."
Central High Principal Dennis McGeehan confirmed the Bears will not be playing archrival NCT, or anyone else. The Bears, who finish 4-6 overall, were packing up their equipment Wednesday.
"Friday's game has been canceled by the FHSAA, you'll have to contact them for the reasons involved," stated McGeehan.
What about the loss of perhaps the Bears' largest gate? Both NCT and Springstead enjoyed their largest-ever gates when they hosted each other. Could the Bears afford not playing the Sharks?
"We folded our program today," added McGeehan. "Nature Coast is a big county rivalry game. Nothing compares with replacing that (game). When we told the youngsters (CHS players) they were down. They took it hard. It's probably way too late in the process to reschedule anyone else.
"As far as the gate, we'll be fine," McGeehan shrugged. "The money is the smaller of two issues here."
Does the punishment fit the crime? Should four schools be penalized due to the efforts of 4-6 people?
"This is not an uncommon penalty," recalled McGeehan. "The FHSAA will be very thorough in their investigation. A few years ago, when St. Pete Catholic had some trouble, we lost a (fall classic) game with them. So this (penalty) is not uncommon."

Alexander weighs in

Hernando County Superintendent Dr. Wayne Alexander was reached for comment.
He said he was aware of the situation and was privy to some of the eyewitness reports emanating from last Friday's game in Lake County.
"The No. 1 priority with our children is for their health and safety," Alexander said. "On Friday, a dangerous situation was created.
"My feeling is the punishment most be served in these types of circumstances," he stressed. "Bench clearing is bench clearing."
What about Central High losing a potentially huge gate by earning a forfeit win off the field?
"I'm sure Nature Coast will have to pay some kind of cost," replied Dr. Alexander. "That will all be settled, too. But when you make mistakes, there will always be a rippling effect."
Second-year NCT Athletic Director Travis Lamle, who was in the midst of his girls' basketball practice, was stunned with Wednesday's events from FHSAA.
"I haven't talked to FHSAA about it (forfeit)," he said. "All I know is I was told there's no game on Friday."
Does the punishment fit the crime?
"I've never seen this type of punishment before," said Lamle. "I'm surprised and shocked like everyone else is here. The way I understand it, this was in addition to the judgment handed down to Coach (Jamie) Joyner and one (NCT) student (plus four players from South Lake)."

Where does NCT go from here?

"I understand that Mr. (Denarvise) Thornton (FHSAA's Associate Executive Director) will not be in Gainesville tomorrow, he'll be in Orlando (for the State Swimming Finals) and we understand he's meeting with the South Lake principal," said Lamle. "We'd like to meet to try to expedite this matter. I can say we're preparing an appeal as we speak."
When asked to comment, NCT's sixth-year Principal Tizzy Schoelles initially expressed condolences to the Central players and fans.
"I feel sorry for Central," said Schoelles, "and their senior players for not playing in their last game. With that said, our fate rests in FHSAA's hands, Mr. Thornton and their wisdom. We have completed a full investigation.
"Tomorrow we will give 85 statements (including every NCT player and seven coaches) to Mr. Thornton," said Schoelles. "The one thing the South Lake principal and I agree on is if the lights did not go out in a dead ball situation, none of this would have ever occurred. I've seen the game tapes (once the lights went out), it was very, very dark. Nothing during the game led up to this.
"The health and safety of our players comes foremost," she added. "I can't comment on the open investigation. The wheels of justice turn slowly; but they do turn."

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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