The Grimsley Senior High School marching band — which traveled the 200-plus miles from Greensboro N.C., to Henrico, Va., for the Whirlies' non-conference football game Friday night against Varina — was escorted out of the stadium during the second half after the public address announcer repeatedly warned the band not to play music while the ball was in play.
As reported by WGHP, citing an anonymous source affiliated with the Grimsley band, the Varina marching band was playing while the ball was in play during the first half of the game. At halftime, Grimsley’s band leadership consulted with the head referee, who told them he would not penalize either band for playing while the ball was in play.
According to the Grimsley source, after playing music while the ball was in play twice in the second half, the public address announcer warned Grimsley again. Varina’s band was not playing at the time since members were on a break after completing their halftime show.
Grimsley ignored these requests and kept playing while the ball was in play, which led to Varina officials ejecting the Grimsley band from the stadium with a police escort.
Henrico County Public Schools chief of communications Eileen Cox responded to WGHP’s request for comments in a written statement via email Saturday afternoon.
“Throughout the game, the Grimsley High School band repeatedly violated VHSL policy by playing during active formation and live ball action, ignoring multiple PA announcements and an in-person administrative request for them to stop," the statement read. "Based on this continued unsportsmanlike behavior and flagrant violation of VHSL policy, the band was directed to leave the stadium at the end of the third quarter.”
According to Virginia High School League policy 54-18-1, “Participating schools’ bands/pep bands are not allowed to play during live ball situations at any VHSL event. Any deviation from this policy will constitute a VHSL Sportsmanship Violation under Section 30 (Penalties/Fines) and may be defined as excessive unsportsmanlike conduct ($300 fine).”
According to the VHSL, live ball situations begin with the offense breaking the huddle or, for no-huddle offenses, when the offense begins getting into a formation, WGHP reported, adding Varina High School administrators said they regret that this matter overshadowed what was otherwise a highly competitive game showcasing the talents of some of the nation’s best high school football athletes.
Grimsley won the game 24-17.
