NCHSAA Investigating Pinecrest-Union Pines Incident
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The NCHSAA has video of Friday's incident. Click here to read.
Officials from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association are still investigating Friday's on-field incident between Pinecrest and Union Pines during their football game.
Carolyn Shannonhouse, assistant commissioner for sports with the NCHSAA, said by phone Monday that the organization is still in the process of investigating the situation and had not yet made a final ruling.
"As of this point, no," she said. "We're actively investigating this, so we're getting the report back from the officials, and then we have contacted both schools.
"But at of this time, we have not officially made a ruling on anything. We're gathering up all of the information before we do that.
"So, hopefully it won't be too much longer before that ruling can be official."
Following an altercation after a kickoff in the second quarter of Friday's game, players and coaches from both teams ran onto the field. Three players from each team were ejected.
Pinecrest principal Joel County and Union Pines principal Robin Lea spoke with The Pilot in a joint telephone interview Monday afternoon. They said they would work with their players and coaches to ensure that an incident like that never happens again.
"We totally regret the damage that we've caused to the community and we both take ownership of what happened Friday night," Lea said, "and we will just do everything in our power to finish out our seasons in a positive manner."
Both said they were still awaiting the ruling from the NCHSAA.
"We're waiting for the [NCHSAA] to make a report and we'll certainly uphold whatever they hand down," County said. "We're going to make sure that our coaches and our players are better educated and have an understanding of what good sportsmanlike conduct is."
According the NCHSAA's regulations, there are multiple infractions that warrant ejection, including fighting.
A team whose players or coaches accumulates three or more ejections during the season for fighting will be banned from postseason play. Or, if a team accumlates six or more ejections for any reason, they can be banned from postseason play.
NCHSAA rules mandate a two-game suspension for anyone ejected for fighting. All other ejections are one-game suspensions.
Pinecrest won the game 69-14.
Were you at the game? Do you have photos or video of the incident that happened? If so, please contact us at sports@thepilot.com or by phone at (910) 693-2477.
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Comments
MikeMartin 1 year, 8 months ago
Obviously not a good situation for Pinecrest or Union Pines.
The link below is our coverage of the incident as it happened on MooreSportsRadio.com Friday night.
This is AUDIO ONLY.
PHS-UP melee.mov by MooreSportsRadio
my3cents 1 year, 8 months ago
Clay, you CAN come home again. There is change everywhere and crime everywhere. These days it happens in mid-day in any city you go to. I grew up in Moore county, went to Pinecrest, moved away and have come home and as the saying goes, "There's no place like home!" Don't make what you read in the papers (which is in all papers also) be the deciding factor of whether you visit your home or not.
my3cents 1 year, 8 months ago
The officials need to investigate the ref's who were told about improper conduct over and over again, and did nothing about it. Those ref's need to turn over their pay for Friday night AND loose their right to ref football. (AND find out who told #57 to keep "downing" #25 when the ball was dead!!!)
BTB10 1 year, 8 months ago
I am deeply sadened to hear what happened at the UP vs Pinecrest game Friday night. There is no place for such behavior in high school athletics. There is also no place for such poor coaching. Our kids deserve better leadership than what was displayed Friday night. NO respectable coach goes for a 2 point conversion and an onside kick with a 40pt lead in the second quarter. That is a total slap in the face to any opponent and leads to such behavior that occurred. I have read comments about the ref's not taking full control of the game and while I do agree, it is a reflection of the coaches when things such as this occurs and they are the ones responsible for their respective players. Players will follow their leader. Again, no respectable coach calls a onside kick up 40pts. I thought this guy was suppose the real deal. Unbelievable.
russellw 1 year, 8 months ago
I saw Pinecrest #25 get hit in the back at least four times in dead ball situations by UP's #57. The first time was after the patriots second touchdown, he was hit so hard that his face mask went into the grass. The last time was just prior to the scuffle, am I the only person to see that he was hit so hard that his helmet was knocked off. What I noticed early on that was after kick-offs UP 57 was hitting P 25 in the back well away from the plays, which weren't really plays since the ball was kicked into the end zone which is an immediate dead ball. Also, UP 57, an average-sized player hitting the (by far) smallest player on the field blind-side. I'm not going to speculate on who should have done what, but the fact is that an unfortunate situation has come from one player's poor sportsmanship.
I've heard some "running up the score" comments. Union Pines fumbled the ball on their first five possessions giving the ball to Pinecrest on the 20-25 yard line, that's just too easy, you can't blame the players or coaches for that. And remember, I saw the first late hit after the kick-off from the second score, hardly a time to get that upset.
theonewithsense 1 year, 8 months ago
Running up the score? Come on now, learn a little about the game of football. On-sides kicks are not to run up the score. They are low percentage plays. Clearly the on-side kick was practice in a game situation. They felt that they had enough of a lead to take a chance. They also tried a pooch kick that was called back for offsides.
If they wanted to run up the score they would have. Two point conversions are again low percentage. They were just trying something different. When you have 47 points you are not trying to run up the score by adding two instead of one. 48 or 49 is no difference.
The officials were pathetic. Taking several minutes to pow wow on every call. They helped the game get out of control. They made bad judgment calls and one time marked off 17 yards on a 15 yard penalty. The referee was a joke. There was at least twice that he threw a flag for holding on running plays well behind and well after any holding could have happened, he would then mark off 15 yards from the spot of the flag. I think it was the same pathetic ref from the St. Pauls crew last year....there can't be two that incompetent.
GUTJL 1 year, 8 months ago
I am very proud of the coaches at PHS. I do however believe that both teams are at fault. I feel sorry for the kids that may loose their chance to be a part of the playoffs as a senior. I am tired of the trash talking about PHS running up the score. Last year our bus was rocked when we beat Lee county. And when we played Lumberton and Richmond we were destroyed, but we still did our sprints at the end of the game with our PATRIOT PRIDE. And what aboout when Purnell Sweat we beat them and the fans from their side tried to fight our players and coaches as we walked off our field. So we have been up and down but we still come out on the field with our heads held high. I will be there to support them and I am sure we all will no matter what team you are pulling for.
Mythreekids 1 year, 8 months ago
I was at the game and saw what russellw saw. I couldn't understand why the 'kicker' kept getting knocked down...after the kick. Just didn't make sense to me. But the refs allowed it. I remain proud of Pinecrest players and coaches. I think the media adds to the hype that shouldn't be there. The kids played football. If I am at all able. I will be at every game, cheering them on. Coach Metzger and staff, keep up the good work. And to Union Pines kids, keep playing as hard as I hope Pinecrest will. Put this in your notes as a life lesson. Keep your heads high and move forward as well. I am so mindless, I love all of you from my heart. Have a great season...going forward.
Frustrated 1 year, 8 months ago
To The PILOT: I understand it is your duties and responsibilities to run stories regarding sports in Moore County. However, I think this has gone on long enough and has been taken too far. There is an investigation being brought on by the NCHSAA and I'm sure everyone involved understands this. I do not think that is appropriate for you to ask for videos or images from the game. If someone has them, they will be contacted, as the schools are working to do this. I also think that The Pilot and the staff of the paper are making it difficult for the students, athletes, players and coaches of both programs to be able to move on from the incident. Each school will take the punishment handed down to them and learn from it. But by running stories and allowing people to comment on them and bash the programs, particularly Pinecrest is RIDICULOUS on your part. If you have any heart or care in the least bit about the communities, students, athletes, players and coaches, then you would remove these types of comments. Even if you cannot remove the articles because it is your duty to report them, do not allow people to comment on them. It has gotten out of hand and because of you at The Pilot, it will not die down.
mcg2010 1 year, 8 months ago
@Frustrated, while I completely understand where you are coming from, you can't blame the Pilot for reporting this story. No matter where I have gone in the past 4 days I have heard people talking about this game. It will die down in time, but you can't blame the Pilot for covering something news worthy. As for requesting footage from the game, I'd rather have the Pilot or the NCHSAA have it, instead of it ending up on YouTube for the world to see, without any context. If anything I would criticize The Pilot for not getting the NCHSAA update up sooner. WRAL had the story up by 7pm Sunday night. It's not a flattering story for either party involved. And everyone would like for it to go away, but the fact of the matter is that is has cast an ugly shadow over the rest of the season for both teams. With the current NCHSAA ruling, either of these teams could win every game the rest of this season, make it to the state playoffs and still not be eligible to play. It's news, and it's not the cushy "look at all the weeds around the traffic circle " news. I think the Pilot has done the best they can with this story. And hopefully both Pinecrest and Union Pines will learn a valuable lesson from this series of unfortunate events.
member 1 year, 8 months ago
I think it's The Pilot's duty to report this story, and whether they allow comments to continue or not--it will not take away from all the talking that is going on around town. I can't seem to go to a restaurant, grocery story or gas station without hearing at least one person talking about it. The only way to get it to die down is for the NCHSAA to make a final ruling and make it public. The longer the investigation goes on, the longer speculation and blame-gaming will go on. There are far worse things being said on other formats, so ending commentary here will not make it go away.
greenbay44 1 year, 8 months ago
Both schools are now reviewing a video that has been turned in from a fan. See complete story at this link http://www.ihigh.com/pinecrestpatriots/article_33220.html
Mythreekids 1 year, 8 months ago
gabanga, since you have so many ideas, it might be useful if you would 'volunteer' some time to the schools (any one of them). Every volunteer saves a few dollars for each activity the volunteer participates in. Just maybe, with your 'ideas', things might get better than you currently perceive them to be. You may even be surprised to discover that many of the coaches pay their own way to seminars, etc, because they want to get better at what they do. Much like many teachers who purchase supplies for their classrooms to make sure each child can participate in projects. Just maybe, you could become a mentor to some youngster who needs a little encouragement. You'd probably be surprised at what a few encouraging words will do for the self esteem of a child. Try it. And, I am not being sarcastic. I really encourage you to do this. I believe it would be a positive experience for you.
Jibbs 1 year, 8 months ago
Heck yeah, run the story! Make sure to get names and faces too. It will teach them an early lesson that everything we do now is on camera for all to see for the rest of their lives because everyone has got a camera in their pocket, and will put pics/vids on Facebook and YouTube. Better to learn the lesson at a school football game than drunk at a party some night.
sPEACEr 1 year, 8 months ago
The rising football team of Pinecrest High School has come along way. Coach Metzger has pulled together a team with the potential to go beyond and above expectations. This team has worked hard and has put much heart into every play, game and practice. How can we deny them a chance to go for the playoffs? Those of you who have watched and hoped in the great metamorphosis of Pinecrest sports, from parents, teachers, coaches, friends and fans, know all too well what this means to all of us, and it goes well beyond what people may see for a few moments on a video. We are a family. A coach is as second father on the field. And as parents, we teach our children good moral values, the achievement of great goals, strength, tenacity, integrity and we teach them love through our own actions and words. If they fall, we don’t disparage them so harshly as unto despair, for we also consider their effort, hope and determination. We help them up, dust them off, and with loving reprimand, urge them forward. Dear officials, let us do unto these as we would desire to have done to our own children, whom we love, and forgetting not what it means to truly be a family.