League's FB Brawl Penalties Harshest on Second Offenders

PUBLIC LEAGUE executive director Robert Coleman yesterday revealed the aftermath of the Del-Val Charter and Roxborough fight that ended Saturday's football game prematurely.

Del-Val will forfeit its next two games and will be placed on probation, because this is its second fighting incident, Coleman said. Del-Val was involved in a fight with Prep Charter on Sept. 7. The school also will forfeit its right to participate in any football playoffs this year.

Further incidents will result in Del-Val's football program being shut down for the season, Coleman said.

Roxborough only will have to forfeit its next game, tomorrow against Mastbaum.

"We certainly spend time, at least we thought it was ample time, with the players and the coaches on sportsmanship and thought that we had gotten away from this," Coleman said. "This is news to me to have it come back and show its ugly head."

Also, the game results in a double disqualification, and although Del-Val led, 12-7, when the game was halted in the second quarter, both teams are credited with a 2-0 forfeit loss.

Coleman said he spoke with principals for each school in person and via conference call Monday and yesterday, and each agreed with the punishment.

Del-Val head coach Shelton Farmer was fired on Monday. Athletic director Will Cambria said that an interim coach would be named this afternoon and that the search for a permanent successor would take place after the season.

Last season, Olney Charter and Southern were involved in a AAAA Silver brawl that resulted in the Trojans losing the game, forfeiting the following week's contest and removing four players from the team.

Overbrook also was credited with a win last year after a fight with John Bartram ended the AAA game in the third quarter. Each school forfeited its next game.

Coleman's message is clear.

"That we won't tolerate it, and if and when it occurs, we will take fast and swift action to resolve it," he said. "If there are repeat offenses, the penalties will go deeper. We'll just eventually put [teams] out of the league altogether if this continues to happen and [if] it involves the same teams."