Oct 7, 2015 2 min read

Monessen High School must suspend one football player and had the program’s probation extended through the 2016-17 school year by the WPIAL, the result of a fight during last Saturday’s game against Wilkinsburg.

The WPIAL announced Wednesday that Wilkinsburg must suspend two players and Monessen must suspend one for at least two games. Since the WPIAL cannot suspend individual players, it is up to the schools to enforce the punishment.

If the WPIAL finds one or both schools do not suspend the players, it will suspend the violating program.

Monessen athletic director Gina Naccarato declined to comment on the ruling.

With Monessen leading 18-0 in the third quarter of an Eastern Conference game at Wilkinsburg’s Graham Field, a fight broke out when the Greyhounds were on offense.

Once the officiating crew cleared the field, they discussed the matter with officials from both schools. It was decided to end the game, giving Monessen (4-1, 4-1) the win.

The Monessen player suspended was not in uniform, but ran onto the field. Along with the suspensions, Monessen’s football program, which was already on probation this year after reporting to the WPIAL it played two ineligible players last fall, had its probation extended through the 2016-17 school year.

Wilkinsburg’s program was placed on probation for a year and the school was censured for failure to provide proper security at the game.

Additionally, Wilkinsburg and Monessen must each form a group of students to develop a sportsmanship plan in the event the two schools compete against each other in another sport.