Lexington vs Byrnes (Both sides)

[SF Band dad]

High-powered Byrnes rolls past Lexington; game ends on sour note
PAUL MARTIN | Spartanburg Herald-Journal | TheState.com

But the game finished on a sour note. An altercation almost broke out after the game at midfield in lieu of handshakes between opposing coaches and players, as police escorted the Wildcats off the field.

Three personal foul penalties by the Wildcats and a late Byrnes touchdown drive in the final seconds prompted the fracas.

< Excerpts - the full article is available at the headline link >

‘A classless move’: Lexington coach gives side to Byrnes game ending
CHRIS DEARING | The State | TheState.com

Tempers flared in the closing minutes. Lexington was flagged for three personal fouls late in a game that was emotionally charged on both sides. The Rebels also had fourth-quarter personal foul penalties.

Then to add fuel to the fire, the Rebels called a timeout with 27 seconds left, then threw a 12-yard touchdown pass for the final margin.

< Excerpts - the full article is available at the headline link >

[Penguin]

Not having a dog in this fight, and after allowing a full day to pass before commenting, I think that what I am going to say about this has most of the emotion of the moment removed, and any biases set aside. Here is my take based upon what I have read from several sources:

This incident showed a piss-poor lack of class from BOTH teams, BOTH coaches, and everyone involved in the decision to call the timeout, throw the pass, and or try to score, along with those who made the decision not to try to be the bigger man and shake hands with your opponents.

OK, that said, Lexington lost all credibility by not being the bigger man in this situation, and Byrnes loses all credibility by trying to intentionally humiliate their opponents. Neither of these actions has any place in High School sports as the most important aspect of the sport is lost, and that is the aspect of teaching how to handle real life situations.

It is my opinion, and just that, my opinion, that Lexington should be sanctioned by disqualifying them from next year's playoffs, and Byrnes should be sanctioned by being forced to forfeit next Friday night along with being banned from next year's playoffs. Neither of these teams or these schools have shown the ability to know how to represent the State or the High School League, by being good sportsmen, or by showing good sportsmanship.

[IndianFan09]

Why sanction the teams for the actions of at most ten individuals? If anything suspend any guilty players/coaches and move on.

Should calling a TO just to run the score up be against the rules? I don't think so. It's classless and unbecoming but it shouldn't be illegal.

Edit: "An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules..." . Like it or not Byrnes competed according to the rules.

[SF Band dad]

Penguin,
I agree with everything you said except for the sanctions. Players will get "chippy" when they are taking a beat-down and they realize this is the last organized football game they will ever play in. The referees and coaches need to manage that on-the-spot.

Classless or not, there is no rule against going for another TD with 27 seconds left, ahead by 35. Magnifying the classlessness is the claim that he did it to protect the players. Take a knee or take a penalty and walk off. Still, it's not against the rules, sanctions are not appropriate. Scorn and ridicule are probably appropriate.

[IndianFan09]

I'm proud to say I've never seen any of my teams call timeout to score another touchdown. Sounds like something a grade schooler would do.

[DeCav]

My only problem is that Byrnes tries to spin things instead of just owning it sometimes. The quotes provided of Bentley are somewhat on the level when he said he didn't like the PF's from Lex and that's why he pulled the trigger on the score. But then comes the quote about him just trying to protect his players. Does ANYBODY buy that?? That's like saying you're trying to protect your children by removing the seat belts from the car.

Trying to protect your players by attempting to escalate the situation, provoke the other team, and prolong the game unnecessarily? Sorry, that's the exact opposite of protecting your players. I call it a calculated dick move. Sorry folks. I like Mr. Bentley. I really do and I think he's probably a great guy and I know the Byrnes fans and players think the world of him. But God help you if for any reason you are in his path or on his bad side. He does not appear to have any inclination to de-escalate situations from what I can tell. He carries grudges, seems to have a chip on his shoulder, and doesn't appear to subscribe to any kind of turn the other cheek attitude.

My wife will tell me if one of her relatives misses a Bday party for our son that we will intentionally skip their kid's bday party as retribution. That sounds like something Bobby would also do. After the beat down Byrnes put on Dorman this year which was supposed to be them teaching us a lesson for the ineligible player situation last year, I asked a fan if Bobby hadn't gotten it out of his system and was told, "No, he's still mad at Dorman."

Good grief!

Well best of luck to the Rebs the rest of the way. Better hope DF isn't the kind of program to pull a rope-a-dope. Like folks have said, a few punches thrown late in the game and you never know what the HSL will do. Byrnes has demonstrated many times that they'll retaliate.

But I don't buy it that Pengy thinks both teams should be DQ'd. I submit that he's just being provocative (which just like running up the score is also not against the rules)

[Penguin]

Penguin,
I agree with everything you said except for the sanctions. Players will get "chippy" when they are taking a beat-down and they realize this is the last organized football game they will ever play in. The referees and coaches need to manage that on-the-spot.

Classless or not, there is no rule against going for another TD with 27 seconds left, ahead by 35. Magnifying the classlessness is the claim that he did it to protect the players. Take a knee or take a penalty and walk off. Still, it's not against the rules, sanctions are not appropriate. Scorn and ridicule are probably appropriate.

Check out the section of the SCHSL rules for AAAA. I am sure that there is a clause about sportsmanship. I don't even have to look. This was a clear lack of sportsmanship no matter what situations were on the field.

In my opinion, Byrnes was the most egregious violators, and should not be allowed to compete any more until they pay for their actions. This is tantamount to fighting, and should be dealt with accordingly.

OK, so I swallowed your bait. Yank on the line.

[DeCav]

Haha. Pengy, I think you guys are fishing from opposite sides of the bridge and got your hooks tangled.

[Penguin]

Haha. Pengy, I think you guys are fishing from opposite sides of the bridge and got your hooks tangled.

I have my opinions about this, and I have my reasons. I feel that Byrnes escalated a bad situation instead of diffusing it. This puts BB in a very bad spot. Showing that kind of lack of sportsmanship as a coach sets a very bad example for the players, and a very valuable teaching moment is lost........no, it is destroyed. This is the mentality that leads to war. There is no place for it in High School sports......period.

[IndianFan09]

My wife will tell me if one of her relatives misses a Bday party for our son that we will intentionally skip their kid's bday party as retribution. That sounds like something Bobby would also do. After the beat down Byrnes put on Dorman this year which was supposed to be them teaching us a lesson for the ineligible player situation last year, I asked a fan if Bobby hadn't gotten it out of his system and was told, "No, he's still mad at Dorman."

Wait, he's really mad at Dorman over something that happened last season? He sounds like an elementary school kid that hasn't been to the corner often enough.