UPDATE:
Read more: here.
There may be no St James vs Amite 3A semifinal game Friday night.
The entire Amite football team has been suspended for one game for leaving the bench area during a fight with Bogalusa in a state playoff game last Friday night, said LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine Tuesday evening.
Amite will appeal at 8 am Wednesday at the LHSAA office in Baton Rouge.
The game was called with three minutes to play. Amite won to advance to the semifinals.
Bonine said there is no video evidence to back up his ruling, but that he made his ruling based on eyewitness at the game, including officials on the field and in the press box.
Bonine said the rules are clear. A player leaves the bench area, he is ejected, even if he doesn’t fight.
Bonine said he asked Amite high school officials if they can say that no players left the bench. Bonine said the response was “crickets.”
Amite will appeal to the executive committee. If the school loses, St James high school will get a bye, and advance to the 3A championship game.
This may be a first in the history of high school football in the state of Louisiana.