UPDATE: A night of high school football madness erupted on October 13, 2023, as the Gardena Serra versus Sierra Canyon game descended into chaos over fake cramping accusations. The game, held in Gardena, California, saw Serra players repeatedly cramping during defensive plays, severely hindering Sierra Canyon’s fast-paced offense.
By the end of the third quarter, Sierra Canyon’s head coach, Jon Ellinghouse, took drastic action. Directing his players to fake cramps, he aimed to highlight the issue, leading to an explosive confrontation on the field. Serra’s coach, Scott Altenberg, expressed outrage, stating he had never been angrier in his 27 years of coaching. The game was briefly halted as officials penalized both teams with 15-yard penalties.
In a post-game interview, Ellinghouse expressed frustration over the continuous stoppages, noting, “In hindsight, I regret having my players engage in the fake cramps.” Altenberg vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting, “I’m not that kind of coach.”
But the controversy didn’t end there. In a separate game, Salesian achieved a staggering 91-13 victory against Cantwell-Sacred Heart, scoring 84 points by halftime. Salesian’s coach, Anthony Atkins, stated he began substituting players in the first quarter to prevent running up the score. However, he revealed that Cantwell-Sacred Heart did not request a running clock in the first half, which could have mitigated the score differential.
Additionally, the Mira Costa versus Lawndale game faced an unexpected halt with Mira Costa leading 14-0. Authorities reported a security threat at Mira Costa after a bullet was discovered on campus, prompting swift action and cancellation of a girls’ volleyball tournament.
In a developing story, standout quarterback Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park sustained an injury during his game against Santa Barbara, leaving in the second half. Committed to Michigan, Smigiel is expected to undergo an MRI exam today, raising concerns among fans and coaches alike.
As these events unfold, the implications for high school sports and athlete safety are significant. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.