Fight Just Before Halftime Ends Fla. H.S. Preseason Football Game

A short-lived but possibly costly melee between players from Palm Beach Central and visiting Northeast broke out just before halftime and resulted in the game being called Wednesday night in a preseason Kickoff Classic at Central.

Northeast was leading 22-14 with 1:59 remaining in the first half when the incident occurred in front of the Northeast bench near midfield. The incident began after a player from Palm Beach Central threw a punch at a Northeast player after a play had been whistled dead by officials.

Several players from both teams left the sidelines and ran onto the field, but game officials, coaches and players quickly intervened before a fight escalated.

“It was a mutual decision by both schools for the safety of the kids,” Palm Beach Central Athletic Director Ron Matella said of the decision to call the game.

Matella said that possible ejections, and thus suspensions, could be forthcoming after game officials submit their report to the Florida High School Athletic Association, the governing body of high school sports in the state. An ejection results in an automatic one-game suspension, and possibly as much as an entire year, depending on the severity of the infraction, according to FHSAA rules.

“It’s unfortunate,” Northeast coach Donnell Bennett said of the incident and subsequent shortening of the game. “It shouldn’t be like this.”

Palm Beach Central coach Rod Harris refused to comment “on anything other than the game.”

Ray Wilson scored both of Central’s touchdowns, the first on a 20-yard scoring pass from quarterback Brock Buckowski and the second on a 4-yard run, both in the second quarter.