Victor Valley football suspended for ‘unacceptable conduct’ after Bell Game win
The Victor Valley football team has been suspended for a week and will forfeit its next game after the district said players crossed the line with their postgame conduct.
Victor Valley High School's football team has been suspended for a week and will lose their upcoming game against Brea Olinda following what district officials deemed unsportsmanlike behavior during last Friday night's Bell Game. Superintendent Carl J. Coles made this decision public on Sunday, September 13, two days after the Jackrabbits defeated Apple Valley 20-7 in the 56th annual Bell Game.
The suspension applies to Victor Valley's varsity football players and coaching staff, and the home game against Brea Olinda on September 18 will be recorded as a forfeit. According to Coles' letter, the team's actions included offensive gestures and language directed at Apple Valley and its fans. The district insists that passionate competition and unacceptable conduct are not interchangeable, and the line was crossed during Friday's game.
Players were seen celebrating by taking the Bell trophy towards midfield and waving towards Apple Valley's stands. Victor Valley head coach Thomas Riley also participated in the celebration. District officials stated that they will work with players and coaching staff to review the athletic code of conduct and enforce expectations for future behavior.
They also issued an apology to Apple Valley for failing to uphold the standard of respect and sportsmanship required. This punishment follows a similar one last year, imposed by the CIF-Southern Section, due to four players being ruled ineligible and banned for two years. Victor Valley's football program has now faced two significant punishments in consecutive seasons.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
