Sanctions imposed after Homecoming brawl

ESPANOLA — Three sanctions have been imposed on the Valley High School football team after a brawl broke out between players in their Oct. 5 Homecoming matchup versus Bernalillo High School.

The game was forfeited by the Sundevils with 6:23 remaining in the first quarter after the scuffle between the teams happened following a punt by Española on its second possession of the game with the Spartans, who held a 7-0 advantage at the time.

The New Mexico Activities Association confirmed the forfeit Oct. 10 and that all players involved received one-game suspensions, although Association associate director Dusty Young said the Association cannot disclose the number of players suspended from each school.

The Association also decided that Española’s next and final home game of the season, Oct. 26 versus St. Pius X, will be a “non-spectator” event and no fans from either school will be allowed to attend. There is no ruling yet on whether the media will be allowed.

The final sanction involves the Española fans, who were seen jumping the gates and running onto the field during the time when referees were still sorting out the rulings and ejections. The fans and spectators have been put on notice for unsportsmanlike behavior.

The altercation began after a Bernalillo player was flagged for a late hit, which sent several Sundevil players into a frenzy, responding with violence of their own after the whistle in the form of punches and shoving.

Players from both teams cleared the benches to scramble toward the brawl that escalated near midfield.

The on-field disaster came a day after a four-person shooting left former Española student and basketball player Cameron Martinez dead. A moment of silence was held in his honor before kickoff.