Updated: Diamond Bar High to Forfeit Next Football Game Due to Brawl with Diamond Ranch

Diamond Bar High School will have to forfeit its next football game following a brawl Friday night with Diamond Ranch High.

For Diamond Ranch, several players won't be taking the field for the next game or even sitting in the stands.

The CIF-Southern Section released a statement today following its investigation of the fight Friday night that ended the game between the two teams early. Several players, including the bulk of Diamond Bar's bench, have been barred from playing in the next game due to ejections in last week's match up.

"Any player whose conduct merits ejection from a game by an official for fighting or assaultive behavior shall be disqualified from participating in the remainder of the game and will be ineligible for the team’s next contest," officials wrote in a statement. "After the suspension from play, the student may only return after certification by the school principal that the student(s) has completed a conference with a school administrator."

A second ejection will result in a two-game suspension and a third ejection will prompt suspension for the remainder of the season.  If an ejected player from a previous contest knowingly or unknowingly participates in a game or attends one, that attendance will result in a forfeit for that game, according to officials.

Footage on Fox Sports West shows that the fight began with 3:15 remaining in the game. After Diamond Bar quarterback Tyler Peterson was stopped by three Diamond Ranch defenders he appeared to have words with Diamond Ranch senior linebacker Matt Preston.  Preston shoves Peterson and players grouping on the field.

At one point, Diamond Bar wide receiver Cordell Broadus (No. 21) is seen on the replay taking a swing at a Diamond Ranch player.

Players from both benches rush the field and on the tape, a few spectators are seen jumping a fence from the Diamond Bar stands in an effort to make their way onto the field.
 
Officials listed the violations and findings as follows:

1. Diamond Ranch High School had three (3) players ejected from the contest on-site by the officiating crew due to fighting and/or assaultive behavior.

2. Diamond Ranch High School, following review of game footage, has had an additional five (5) players ejected from the contest due to fighting and/or assaultive behavior.

3. Diamond Ranch High School, following review of game footage, has had an additional 11 players ejected from the contest due to leaving the confines of the bench or team area.

4. Diamond Ranch High School, following review of game footage, had 10 players on the field prior to the onset of the altercation that did not participate in the altercation and were not observed displaying aggressive and/or assaultive behavior and are NOT ejected and considered eligible for their next contest.

5. Diamond Bar High School had four (4) players ejected from the contest on-site by theofficiating crew due to fighting and/or assaultive behavior.

6. Diamond Bar High School, following review of game footage, has had an additional five(5) players ejected from the contest due to fighting and/or assaultive behavior.

7. Diamond Bar High School, following review of game footage, had all but one player who was on the sideline at the time of the altercation leave the confines of the bench or team area. Those players are also considered ejected.

8. Diamond Bar High School, following review of game footage, had six (6) players on the field prior to the onset of the altercation that did not participate in the altercation and were not observed displaying aggressive and/or assaultive behavior and are NOT ejected and considered eligible for their next contest.

9. Diamond Bar High School, due to a lack of varsity players available to compete in their next contest will forfeit that contest.

CIF Southern Section officials said the matter is now closed and they will have "no further comment on any aspect of this unfortunate situation."

Pomona Unified issued the following statement in response to the ruling:

"Pomona Unified School District has received and accepted the determination made by CIF regarding the incident that occurred at the close of last week’s football game between Diamond Ranch and Diamond Bar high schools.

In order to protect student privacy, the District will not be disclosing nor discussing any internal disciplinary measures that may or may not result from the incident. 

It is the District’s sincere hope that this unfortunate chapter can now come to a close and both schools and school districts can focus on improving relations in the near future.”

The Walnut Valley Unified School District also issued a statement.

"The Walnut Valley Unified School District has received and accepted the determination made by CIF regarding the incident that occurred at the close of last Friday’s football game between Diamond Bar High School and Diamond Ranch High School.

In order to protect student privacy, the District will not be disclosing nor discussing any internal disciplinary measures that may or may not result from the incident.  As a learning community Diamond Bar High School is looking at this unfortunate incident as an opportunity to focus on the character and leadership development for our students."

Diamond Bar High School issued one as well.

"We have reviewed and concur with CIF Southern Section’s findings. We appreciate the manner in which CIF handled the situation and will abide by their sanctions," officials wrote. "We continue to investigate the actions and decisions of all individuals associated with our football program and will apply what we believe to be appropriate consequences.

This event identifies a need and provides an opportunity for the Football program’s staff and students to focus on leadership and civic responsibility by participating in character development programs over the next few weeks.
As a learning community, we are looking at this as a teachable moment for our Diamond Bar High School family. Part of that is assuming full responsibility for the actions that took place that evening. It is our true belief that this event does not represent the high standards of our athletic program, our football program, our staff, or our students."