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SPORTS INSIGHT: Football brawl totally unnecessary
Daniel Elizondo, Sports Editor - Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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After hearing of the disturbing news about a sideline clearing brawl between the Charlotte Trojans and Runge Yellowjackets, the initial thought was certainly this is blown out of proportion.

Even with calls to both schools, one was inclined to keep its mouth shut, the other – well, it was just a brawl that escalated after a no-call late hit.

But when a call to the Karnes County Sheriff’s department revealed by the dispatcher that the so-called “brawl” actually got a second tone out for backup, sounds as if this was more than just a brawl.

Then a call to UIL to confirm just what happened turns up that they haven’t received any report or heard of anything as of Monday.

Officials of TASO (Texas Assoc. of Sports Officials) are to report such melees and if they do, the report should come shortly.

Because if this is anything like the school officials are saying, then a report won’t come. But if the law was involved, you can bet that this is way more serious.

Whatever the case, this should have never happened and should never happen.

Tempers flair during football and the bottom line is that it comes down to the coaches to discipline and help avoid this sort of problem escalating.

For all the years of covering football, I’ve heard it a million times from different coaches if a call doesn’t go your way or there is trash talking. Instead of retaliating, just keep your hands to yourself and keep your mouth shut. Plain and simple.

And if this sort of thing happens, it’s even worse when parents and/or fans become involved on the playing field.

It is all uncalled for and just plain juvenile.

It won’t be pretty if and when UIL gets a hold of this.

Charlotte has struggled all year to win games and now with this looming, it will put a damper to the season in a sad way – if they are allowed to complete a season.

There is a possibility of being suspended from the rest of the season. Or even players being suspended and forcing the team to forfeit because of not enough players. Or even charges that may have been pressed against someone.

What an ugly way to end the season.

Let’s hope that this all gets resolved. And let’s hope that this sort of behavior doesn’t happen again.