Schools
FOOTBALL: Milpitas-Jefferson Fight Aftermath Costs Jefferson Game
Multiple Jefferson High players were suspended on Thursday, forcing team to forfeit tonight's game. Milpitas High; CCS investigation is still ongoing.
With Friday night football games ready to kick-off all across the Central Coast Section, the aftermath of the brawl between the Milpitas and Jefferson High-Daly City football teams has forced Jefferson to forfeit their scheduled game today against Pittsburgh due to lack of players.
According to Jefferson assistant head coach George DeBono, appropriate measures have been taken to discipline the Jefferson team, including the removal of one player from the team entirely along with a handful of suspensions given to other members of the team.
After interviewing several sources involved with the game last Friday night, the about the incident didn’t properly account the beginning of the fight.
Find out what's happening in Milpitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The start of the brawl occurred in the end zone, not off a running play towards the sideline. After a pass breakup in the end zone, Milpitas defensive back Jordan Lockett was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after he appeared to say something to a Jefferson wide receiver.
A second flag was then thrown on the Trojans and a Jefferson player proceeded to push Lockett back.
Find out what's happening in Milpitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The fight began shortly after that.
“Both coaching staffs were trying to restrain players,” DeBono said. “Both teams are guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Because of several players leaving to join the fight from the sideline, 15 Jefferson players were suspended for the team’s next game, which lead to the team forfeiting its next non-league contest with Pittsburg.
At least one Milpitas player was seen swinging his helmet in the air during the brawl. The helmet did hit a Jefferson player, according to DeBono.
Milpitas athletic director Jeff Lamb commented on the incident after the Milpitas High volleyball game Thursday night.
"As of right now, no players from Milpitas have been suspended," Lamb said. "We sent our game film over to CCS officials, which was requested by the CCS for their investigation about the incident. There is no new news at this time."
According to Lamb, the Milpitas coaches were able to keep their players on the sidelines, blocking them from joining in on the melee. The Milpitas players that were involved in the fight were defensive players that were already on the field when the fight ensued.
Milpitas hosts Alvarez High-Salinas today at 7:30 p.m.
Patch correspondent Andy Torrez contributed to this report.
