Texas school district suspends players after referee hit

MARBLE FALLS, Texas -- A San Antonio school district has suspended from the team two football players who collided with a referee.

Northside Independent School District athletic director Stan Laing told KENS5-TV that the incident Friday was "disturbing" and "inexcusable."

Video showed the referee watching the play, and his head snapping back when he is leveled from behind. The other player then dove on top of him.Both players were ejected from the game.

The referee was "very upset'' and "wanting to press charges,'' Austin Football Officials Association secretary Wayne Elliott said.

Elliott said he was seeking guidance from the state officials association, adding, "The first thing we want is that those two kids never play football again.''

Marble Falls was trying to run out the clock and called for a handoff toward the left side of the line of scrimmage, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The penalties resulting from the incident gave Marble Falls a first down. John Jay lost 15-9.

University Interscholastic League spokeswoman Kate Hector said the school sports governing body is working with the school district and officials on an investigation.

The team from John Jay High School in San Antonio was playing Marble Falls High School in Marble Falls, located about 90 miles north of San Antonio.

Before the referee was hit, two Jay players had been ejected on separate plays.

Marble Falls coach Matt Green said John Jay coach Gary Gutierrez apologized after the game.

"I've coached 14 years, and I've never seen anything like it,'' Green said.