MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. — TSSAA has fined two high schools, Austin-East High School in Knoxville and Union County High School in Maynardville, after a fight broke out in the fourth quarter of a football game on Friday.
Two Austin East high school athletes were ejected for throwing punches and fighting at the game. The score was 58-30 with Austin-East in the lead. TSSAA fined both high schools $250 for "players leaving the sideline." One player from Union County and four players from Austin-East were ejected for leaving the bench.
TSSAA gave WBIR a copy of the official's report from the game.
"After it (the fight) was broken up again, Union County coaches said they were not going to finish the game on account of safety for their players," the report said.
Union County High School received an automatic $500 fine for pulling the team off the field before the game was finished. There was 5:21 remaining in the game. According to TSSAA, the school plans on appealing it.
TSSAA rules say that any athlete ejected from a game can not play their next game. This comes as both teams have a chance at making the playoffs.
As far as disciplinary actions, each school district is handling the situation in different ways.
"TSSAA has been notified about the incident, and the school has investigated and handled the situation in accordance with district policy," a spokesperson with Knox County Schools said.
The director of Union County Public Schools also provided a statement.
"TSSAA is leading the investigation of the incident on 10/20/23 at UCHS," Greg Clay said. "Union County is cooperating with TSSAA about any disciplinary action."