Lake City/Wilson placed on probationBy STEVE WISEMAN - swiseman@thestate.comFor the second consecutive year, the Class 3A football champion will not be allowed to defend its title.
Wilson High, which beat Chester in the 2007 final, and Lake City were each fined and placed on one year of probation by the S.C. High School League on Wednesday for fighting following their game last week.
SCHSL commissioner Jerome Singleton, who made the ruling, said neither team will be allowed to compete for their respective region championships or compete the playoffs.
Singleton also said some players were suspended, although he declined to say who, how many or for how long.
“That’s under the privacy of the kids,” he said.
The incident took place just as the final seconds ticked off in Lake City’s 19-12 victory against Wilson last Thursday. SCHSL officials spoke with representatives from both schools and reviewed videotape of the brawl, which reportedly lasted around five minutes.
The decision means the 3A title race is wide open, just as it was last season when 2006 champion Blythewood was banned from the playoffs for violating league practice guidelines.
The teams will see their seasons end with their Oct. 31 regular-season finales unless they appeal the ruling to the Executive Committee and have the penalties reduced.
Reach Wiseman at 803-771-8472
