GoNavy

Mon, Oct 15, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.

"Mother of Huron player injured in high school football brawl: 'It's just terrible'" I can't help but chuckle at the cognitive dissonance displayed here. I'd be shocked at a brawl during a game of bingo. A heated football game? Ha. This woman's son could have run all over the field, knocking heads, bodies, limbs and such with other players, potentially risking paralysis or worse. But a fight? "Shocking." If you're shocked to learn that competitive players can't simply "turn it off" when the whistle blows, then you probably aren't very competitive.

The Secret Team

Mon, Oct 15, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.

The perpetrators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am appalled at this conduct.

Orangecrush2000

Mon, Oct 15, 2012 : 1:54 a.m.

My opinion is this: Just like it's the head coach's responsibility for the conduct of the players; it's the AD's job to be responsible for the conduct of the coaches. The coaches did what they thought they could get away with. The buck stops with the AD's. They're the ones who "set the tone" - they're the ones who "guide" those involved in their sports programs down the right or wrong path. Unfortunately, I don't think that the AD's know that they have this responsibility. They seem not to know what they don't know. So, I don't think that they behave in ways, daily, that demonstrate the proper example to the coaches. I don't know what it is. But, in my opinion, there's 'something' missing in their leadership...just my opinion.

AnnArborEvents

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 5:13 p.m.

No arrests? Ann Arbor and Michigan will now be in the national spotlight, and it is critical that the legal system operates swiftly and holds everyone accountable to the maximum penalties provided by law. This is equivalent to domestic violence action/law, except that those responsible are the coaches, staff, and leaders/athletes. Each and everyone involved (the students/athletes and staff/coaches) should be identified on video, arrested, charged and processed according to the law. This is way beyond the policy jurisdiction of the superintendant, administrators, board, principal, athletic director, and staff. This is plain and simple an act of assault and battery, to be dealt with by the law, with the maximum penalties applied up to and including criminal penalties and jail/prison time. You can be sure that our zero tolerance policy and law for domestic violence is a model here. If we do anything short of charging and prosecuting everyone involved, then we will see this again in the future. If everyone who was guilty of fighting is charged with criminal assault and battery, without any "easy judgements" we are sure this kind of thing won't happen again. Ann Arbor and Michigan is now in the national spotlight, and it is critical that the legal system operates responsibly and holds everyone accountable to avoid a repeat. If Ann Arbor schools hired responsible staff and coaches, then the staff and coaches need to stand up to the challenge and admit their guild and accept the maximum penalty provided by law. This will ensure Michigan schools and the rest of the country will not see this kind of incident again.

Claude Kershner

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.

The most desired outcome for this horrible display between both Huron and Pioneer will be a complete re-evalution for all of the sports programs in Ann Arbor. The path forward for this particular instance of adults behaving badly is clear: Fire the Huron Head Coach and the Pioneer Assistant Coach. Suspsend the Head Coach for Pioneer for the rest of the season for advancing a season long program of retribution and humilation (69-0 vs. Dexter? Are you kidding me?) and then the weak excuse of claimed ignorance about his offensive play selection Friday. He is either lying or not in charge. Neither is acceptable. The football debachle, however, is reflective of a greater concern and issue that pervades ALL of Varsity level sports in Ann Arbor. Accros multiple sports and schools we have seen first hand both students and parents behaving with unsportsmanlike conduct both on the field, court or pool and off. It begins with a lack of standards for honesty and accountability for the basic premise of player eligibility. For DECADES Ann Arbor Public Schools have turned a blind eye to allow talented players from outside of the Ann Arbor district falsify places of residence in order to play. It is a short walk to go from lying about where you live and sleep (Which sends a message to your team and to your school community) to running up the score to settle a perceived debt with another team to fighting at mid field. When one basic standard is repeatedly violated without punishment the bar is lowered, the standards of accetable ethics is compromised and the very worst of conduct becomes a regular part of the athletic experience for all people involved.

Pretty Gritty

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.

Sports are supposed to help kids learn life skills. Guess what? if you suck at life, life will run the score up on you as well.

hadit

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 12:48 p.m.

I think it has something to do with the achievement gap.

Carolyn

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.

Yep. Participation in high school sports in Ann Arbor builds true character. Soooo GLAD that being a parent of a student athlete in this town are long behind me.

Linda Peck

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 3:06 a.m.

This game of football needs to be looked at seriously and judged for its place in public schools. I say it does not belong because it inspires violence such as this, and more violence just in playing the game.

mlivesaline

Sun, Oct 14, 2012 : 2:54 a.m.

Coach Test doesn't know what sportsmanship is. After hearing about the fight I suspected that sportsmanship somehow played a part in this. I thought back to circumstances this season during the Dexter game. http://www.miprepzone.com/washtenaw/results.asp?ID=7640 . Now I hear that belittling comments were aimed at a struggling Huron team, winless this year and while leading by 29 points Pioneer was trying to score an additional touchdown in the final moments. This set the kids on a hair trigger. Then it was the coaches who actually started the fight. Unbelieveable. The announcer reads a bit about sportsmanship before every game. But few in the SEC follow any of it. It's time we all start taking it to heart.

DonBee

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.

No coaches will be disciplined. After all this is Ann Arbor and winning games is the most important thing. Sports first, everything else later. Bigger classes, before less money for sports. The board pours millions into Varsity Sports, and hires coaches even when there is a freeze on hiring.

darre james

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.

coach test allowed an outsider named coach glenny destroy the program........so yes it does fall on his shoulders, but the coach who has started and kept the deception up and is ultimately responsible for this is glenny and test.

Estate

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 10:23 p.m.

Now that Pioneer's Principal Michael White is no longer in charge, things like this will tend to happen more frequently simply because there won't be any consequences.

boo

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.

A concern going forward is how this issue gets played out in other sports the two schools will play throughout the remainder of the school year. Football is not the only sport these two schools have had issues with. Hockey fights? Soccer fights? And some of the country club sports too?

bluejunk

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.

As a parent who had a child play JV football awhile ago when Paul Test was the coach at Huron he did the same thing except this time is was against Pioneer - ran up the points without regard to sportsmanship. He should have had his players taking a knee instead of cranking up the score to embarrass the other team. He behavior and influence as a coach needs to be seriously looked at. Look at his past record of this type of behavior. I believe he is the root cause of getting last night's Huron coach angry. The behavior of a head coach needs to be a role model for their players. Treating another team with so much disrespect when you are winning by so many points is acting like a bully. Something no student should be influenced by. Paul Test needs to go. Was the Huron coach right in what he did last night? - No he was not. BUT we need to see where it all started and that comes back to Paul Test.

dfossil

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.

Frankly both coaching staff and all players should be closed down for the rest of the season. Sit their butts in a classroom until they learn how to behave. The directors have to answer for this poor performance also!

Unusual Suspect

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.

Any player that left the bench to join the fight should be kicked off the team. And some need to be arrested.

the leprachaun

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.

Pioneer has no respect for the game constantly running up the score and kick onside kicks when they are up 69-0. Wait to the playoffs and the will be crushed in the first round

Lovaduck

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.

Ah, the wonderful values promoted by sports and the love of them!

Dietrich Trott

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.

45 years ago, Ann Arbor High School football and basketball teams (there was only one upper school then) were traditionally crushed by visiting warriors from such institutions as Detroit's Mumford HS, or by the bruising behemoths from Flint. And to add insult to injury, the AAHS uniforms then were light purple and white. Decidedly twee. Alas, too few of the 6'3", 200 pound student sports prospects among the incoming AAHS sophomore class had any interest in working up a sweat at 6:00AM under the hostile glare of some junior coach, preferring, as they did, to study calculus and Russian, even art and design. The football and basketball coaches ended up with tears in their eyes. Of course, AAHS was often state champ in such violent contact sports as tennis, golf, swimming and diving, with the Grosse Point schools as the primary adversaries for these brutal activities. And the little brutes from AAHS tended to dominate the state-wide chess, debate, and music competitions. "Lo, when a king goes forth in glory..."

cook1888

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.

The Coach Test I remember from Huron days loved to let it be known what a devout Christian he was. I guess he forgot you have to live your religion every day. Coach Davis was always kind, fair and balanced. I am sure what ever decision she makes, popular or not, will be because she will try to do the right thing. A gloating winner is no better sport than a whining loser. What bad examples all the way around.

D.C.

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.

As a fan of another SEC Red school, I have to say that we have always been treated with class and dignity by Huron, their staff, their coaches, and everyone involved at Riverbank Stadium. I also must say we have been treated MUCH worse on every trip I've ever been on to Hollway Field. I think the general consensus from everyone I've talked to is that since Test has been the coach at Pioneer, they play dirty and their sportsmanship and discipline is lacking. I can absolutely tell you this kind of behavior would never in a million years be allowed at the SEC Red school I am an alumnus of. It's unfortunate that Coach Gildersleeve behaved the way he did, and there is no excuse for his words or actions. As a Varsity Football coach you are supposed to be an example for others to follow and class and sportsmanship are supposed to be the lessons you teach-- the walk you walk and the talk you talk. Sadly, this was not the case last night. I believe both teams should have to forefit next week, Pioneer should have to give up it's share of the SEC Red title (and no-- I am not from Saline), and they should also be excluded from the postseason. These kids need to be taught that this kind of behavior is never acceptable and the ADULTS obviously need to find different jobs. I think both Head Coaches should be dismissed and any player that was involved should be kicked off their respective team. Then, and only then, will sportsmanship be given credibility at Pioneer, and Huron can start over.

Bubba43

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.

Wonderful role models!

djacks24

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.

Fire both coaches. Simple as that.

An Arborigine

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.

Hello, it's a high school football game. Are you kidding me? I've heard of pay to play, but this is worthy of pay per view!

OldMan87

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.

As someone who was at the game, and on the field during all of this there are a couple of things that should be noted. 1) It was not 3rd and 4th stringers on the field at the end of the game. Marquis Thomas, who's a hell of a ball player by the way, and had a great game, was still in with 30 seconds left. 2) Pioneer was throwing deep with less than a minute left and called time out with 30 seconds left inside Huron's 30, clearly to get another shot at the endzone. 3) There were multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Pioneer in the 4th quarter. 4) The referee came to the Huron sideline when Coach Gildersleeve was yelling across the field at Test during the time out. He told Coach G, that he would handle it and went to the Pioneer sideline to talk to Test after which Pioneer took a knee to end the game. Yes, it's up to the defense to stop the other team, and both teams should play hard to the end of the whistle, but to keep your starters in with a 29 point lead and call a timeout with 30 seconds left is bush league crap. Test was an ass 25 years ago, and apparently still is.

Ron Granger

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

In their season of all losses, Dexter has been blown out time and again: 29-0 69-0 48-7 42-3 49-0 42-0 And yet you don't see their coaches shoving other coaches, and demanding to control how they lose. It is easy to show character when you win, but the real measure is when you lose. Football is not about negotiating terms of surrendor, no matter what Huron's coach may think.

Mick52

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

1. Sportsmanship 2. Control Seems both are lacking here. The Pioneer players should have kept their mouths shut over the game not taunting Huron with a whoopin like this. The score speaks for itself. Screaming is indicative of a lack of control. You have to control yourself to avoid bad stuff happening. I expect assault charges against the Pioneer assistant for shoving Coach Gildersleeve. "Disrespecting" is not a sufficient reason to put your hands on someone, it's not defensive and it lead to the brawl. That Asst shows a lack of control as well, and the players took it as a reason to start the fight. Very interesting that the coach called a victory formation but the players went for another score. The Pioneer team needs to be doing some laps around the football field this week, a thousand or so.

lefty48197

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.

Sounds like Pioneer is turning into the buckeyes!

Ron Granger

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.

This is a coaching failure at Huron. Here's why: Huron has not won a single game all season. They are 0-4 at home and 0-5 away. Saline blew them out last weekend 41-0. They could not expect to win this game. So their coach should have coached for this outcome, and how to handle it. Instead, he expected to be handled with kid gloves.

darre james

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.

Gildersleeve is right.......

Johnny Nicholson

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.

Test is a joke.

Bob Grosshans

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.

This is the same Pioneer squad that ran the score up on Dexter then had the ex-Dexter coach on their shoulders after the game. NO CLASS.

darre james

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.

coach test is out of control.....I am so glad my son was not a part of this as he has had to be subjected to this crap all season.lucky day to have a knee injury.

jpud

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.

This problem rests squarely with Dr. Patricia Green's lack of leadership. The sportsmanship at Pioneer has been a disgrace to Ann Arbor for years with no consequence. The fight was a culmination of a year of poor sportsmanship by Pioneer's team, not an isolated event. Pioneer students have defecated on the Huron field, and all sorts of other inhuman acts in the recent past. Test knows Gildersleeve won't be back next year, neither of these "men" should be allowed to work in the Ann Arbor public school system ever again. The losers running Ann Arbor's public schools need to wake up and see we don't want our kids raised in an environment where they are around other students who behave like wild animals or cattle. What we witnessed was part of the pre-jail preparatory program that Ann Arbor schools provide for a subset of their students. Expel the players who fought from both teams from school for two weeks, it is a privelege to attend Ann Arbor schools, not a right regardless of behavior. Restore discipline to our school system. Fire both coaching staffs, every one of them. We don't need an ass who let his students carry him in front of the Dexter stands on our payroll. What a disgrace to our community. Listen to Eagleman, he knows what he is talking about.

JRW

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.

If coaches can't control themselves and their teams, then the coaches need discipline (severe consequences) and the teams need to NOT play for a few weeks. This is inexcusable. Letting players behave as punks and coaches not setting an example or controlling their teams is not acceptable. Without real consequences, nothing will change.

Ross

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.

Dude. Crazy stuff, not cool. But really, no one has a video of this brawl up on youtube yet? I guess all the students are still asleep.

GenuineA2

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.

The Huron coach goes berserk because Pioneer was "running up the score"? That's like one of his players, who is already failing math, throwing a fit over failing the next test because…the test was was too hard. The Huron coach is a sore loser — and THAT is the lesson he was teaching his players. When you lose — and lose BADLY — throw a fit, get violent, scream and yell. It is disgraceful behavior by a coach, and it set this brawl in motion. He was trying to make this loss on the football field someone else's fault, and looking at the comments here, he succeeded. Now, the losing coach is a "victim." Perfect metaphor for modern life. "It's not my fault, Mommy!"

Rose

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.

Coach Test is a good man he didn't start the brawl if you weren't there you can keep your negative comments to self

AySquared

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.

That's why everyone should have been at the Skyline game!!

Matt Tuck

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.

No room for this in Prep sports. Inexcusable for coaches to let this happen. This needs to be investigated further. My opinion, coaches involved on both sides need to be at suspended at the least. Sounds like two need to be fired. Players that got involved in the fight need to be off the team. No tolerance for violence at a high school football game. This disgusts me

genetracy

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.

Those sily high school football coaches. They feel the game transcends civilization itself.

nunya

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.

All these comments and none seem to be focused on the unnamed assistant coach who threw the first punch. He should be fired for sure. Second, he should be charged criminally. Not only is he guilty of assault and battery, he incited a riot. A push can happen in many circumstances without being escalated to a fight. A punch is a fight, period.

Mike

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.

That Pioneer assistant coach should be fired today.

IMissThePaper

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.

No police officer(s) at Huron football game?! No ambulance at Skyline football?! What a night!

Ann

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.

Season OVER!!

Joe

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3 p.m.

This fight was a result of the Huron coach's bad sportsmanship. Why would he be mad if they were playing football with pioneer's 3rd string QB? None of the pioneer students were injured but one went to the hospital and another was punched in the mouth and may have lost a tooth, I saw some blood come out of his mouth. This was Huron's fault

kms

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.

No matter what is said here, I don't think Dottie Davis deserves any criticism. I am a Skyline/Pioneer parent and don't know her well but I've actually seen her in attendance at more games than I have seen my own schools' ADs. I've always been impressed with her enthusiasm and dedication. She looks like she was trying to break up the fight in the picture. Both Pioneer and Huron coaches set extremely poor examples and unfortunately I do think some sort of sanctions would be in order.

JimB

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.

This situation is very unfortunate, however, I'm sure the coaches will go back and find the root cause of the problem and use the outcome as a teaching moment for the kids. I remember coach Test to be a fair and ethical coach as far back as the 1980's when he was the defensive coordinator for Pioneer. If I'm not mistaking, he was a coach or even the head coach for Huron at some point in his career. My point is that he has been around for a long time, involved with both schools and I'm sure that he has no motivation to intentionally cause any riff with anyone involved, on either side. Test was always a man of faith who not only taught x's and o's to the players during weekly practice, but also took time at the end of the day to teach morals and values to the entire team. This was also incorporated into summer football camp.That is a big part of who Test is as a leader. If one of his players took it upon himself to call plays that were other than the coaches' instructions, I have no doubt that Test will discipline the party involved but will do it in practice, not in the media. Keep in mind one thing, the Pioneer-Huron rivalry is the same as Michigan-Ohio State. The war cry at the beginning of the season for both sides is to beat the other team and the teams are reminded of this every week. Tension is high and kids may have dealt with the outcome inappropriately.

tyrone willie

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.

Why is it always Gildersleeve. How many jobs can this guy screw up? Send him packin!!

a2cents

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.

End both of the football programs NOW and save some money... There are far better uses for the $$$.

Bulldog

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.

Perhaps if Pioneer had a permanent PRINCIPAL this might not have happened!

boo

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

I wasn't at the game, but have followed both teams a little bit this year. Huron is a mess, on the field and now off the field too. Changes sure to come for them. Pioneer has demonstrated a classless attitude all season long. I guess the beat downs by the Catholic league teams at the beginning of the season may not been enough to humble them. Again, I wasn't at the game, but to hear that Pioneer was still throwing passes with just seconds remaining is ridiculous. And for coach Test to say "I didn't call that play" Really? who's in charge over there? Did the kids call the plays on their own? The coaches on both sides acted poorly at the end of the game. Both coaches should be suspended for the final game of the season. It won't matter to Huron since they haven't won a game all year WITH their coach on the sideline. And it sounds like it won't matter to Pioneer since their coach doesn't call the plays anyway. It sounds like they don't NEED him on the sidelines.

Billy Bob Schwartz

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.

Wow! Some interesting comments here. One is to the effect that all football personnel, student and adult, as well as the members and coaches of the teams they will play this season, should be severely punished for one flare up. The revenge squad is scary. So why not just wiat until the authorities find out who really did what when to whom, and let them make decisions based on that? Not as much fun as destroying Ann Arbor football, but possibly more just. Another interesting take is the idea that all of football (and in a case or two, all high school athletic programs) is bad, a waste of the kiid's valuable learning time, and this melee shows that to be the case. Baloney in the highest degree. Football is a great opportunity, as are other sports, to teach kids all kinds of positive life values, like viewing your opponents as people to show respect to, etc. Also, it teaches working together with others to accomplish your team goals, and on and on. Great life skills, in my book. To hear of one altercation in one game and calling for the elimination of one or two schools' football, schedule, all high school athletics, or whatever, is a pathetic view of something that provides much enjoyment to participants and many others. I think it's about time commenters stop to think a bit before firing away. One incident like this is a single incident. Period. Investigate. Find the culprits, if any. Administer correction as makes sense. Work to get sportsmanship central to the game. Move on.

Claudio Petrovic

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:11 p.m.

Some of you guys are nuts and completely unrealistic. Gildersleeve and Whortman are the only two who should be punished. The players were defending their immature and childish coaches. The kids were shaking hands and taking pictures together. If Gildersleeve doesn't act a donkey, none of this happens. There is no such thing as "running the score up" this is a sport, if you can get game reps for players with no experience this is what you do.

SonnyDog09

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

SInce this is the People's Democratic Republic of Ann Arbor that we are talking about, I was surprised to learn that they actually keep score.

Schneb

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:58 p.m.

I played football at Pioneer in the early '80s, when coach Test was a young assistant coach. At that time the head coach was a very intense, from-Texas-where-football-was-REAL kind of guy. The contrast was clear: Paul Test was a very calm presence. He brought a different and clear focus on values to the team. In the years since I was a student I occasionally ran into him, and always he showed a caring, friendly concern. I can't see this incident as likely to have started with his conduct or at all in keeping with his values. I'm reading his comments, based on my sense of him, as his way of taking responsibility and trying to ease the situation by explaining how matters got out of hand without a finger pointing approach. I hope that however the tapes, etc. and further investigation plays out, that the values and example that coach Test brings to his coaching will be conveyed to the students. Yes, there have to be consequences for this, and it's a sad thing that it happened, but it's also an opportunity: using it to send a message about good sportsmanship and what separates intensity and rivalry from crass, boorish thugism. Doing the first will be in line with the values I took from my time as a Pioneer athlete, and I remember Paul Test as a man who was all about that.

Ron Granger

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.

This is a big boy sport - it does not have a "mercy" rule. It is easy to be gracious in victory. The true test is how you conduct yourself in defeat. You see examples of the high school scores getting run up all the time. If a coach can't handle it, then he is a "sore loser" and sets a poor example. He should lose his option to "try again next year".

ffej440

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.

The friday night scores reflect this 'running up" of points by many teams every week. Although not worth fighting over, I think ALL the coaches should stop this practice.

Skiboski

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

The last minute of a rivalry game and being up 30 is not the time to get your backup quarterback passing reps. Only bad things can happen, especially to the team that is ahead. The losing team is not happy and you are giving them an opportunity to cheap shot somebody. That was the start of this embarrassing incident. What is not clear is how many passes pioneer threw. I heard they threw on the last 3 plays. The Huron coach was yelling after the first pass. If the pioner coach didn't know that a pass was called on the first play and didn't like it then why did they throw 2 more times. It seems like they were trying to embarrass them. Why were the teams allowed to taunt each other after the game? They should have gone separate ways.

dading dont delete me bro

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

what was the score...? hunh?

dading dont delete me bro

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.

classy. role models.

mike gatti

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.

No excuse for this. This is school sponsored which means it is supposed to benefit the kids. That means they are supposed to be learning sportsmanship and team work. School athletics are supposed to be about more than winning. They are supposed to be about teaching lessons. They are not about showing kids how to be jerks. Fighting, taunting and "my assistant coach thought he saw him disrespect me" come on grow the heck up coaches. Nice work guys. Maybe next year you can skip the game all together and just fight it out.

Dcam

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.

Pioneer's done similar things. Shortly after I moved to the area, I recall a letter of apology Pioneer had to write to Pinckney HS for having called them a bunch of hillbilly, cousin-marrin', vittle-eating rednecks, following some athletic event. At the time, I kind of chuckled about it. Actually, I still do.

MjC

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.

It is the responsibility of the coaches, and adults, to teach our students good sportsmanship, respect, and honor. In the excitement of competition, there is a dishonorable line that can be crossed by coaches, players, and fans. If you can't compete appropriately, then don't show up to the game - especially when it comes to high school sports. The stakes are high for many of these kids - recognition, recruiting, college scholarships, career direction. Both coaches, as adults, owe an apology to the student body and the entire community.

javajolt1

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.

Pioneer pulled this same garbage in its route of Dexter earlier this year. They ran an onside kick when they were up big, kept running offensive plays with a running clock and 60+ point lead and after the game, the team lifted the recently fired former Dexter coach on their shoulders and paraded him in front of the Dexter home stands. Pretty incendiary. Great lessons by Pioneer for young people everywhere.

Mac

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.

This is pathetic. Gildersleeve should be let go. The assistant from Pioneer who threw the first punch should be let go. There should be consequences for both sides. With that being said......none of this would have happened if Gildersleeve wouldn't have made contact with Test. When you are a head football coach....you set an example for your team. Nice life lesson taught Gildersleeve! When angry....start a fight. Once again.....PATHETIC!!

actionjackson

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.

This happened between parents in a Pioneer vs Huron hockey game at the cube once. Big brawl in the stands while the kids on the ice watched. You can tell it was west of Carpenter Rd. No knives or guns were involved!

blueeyegirl

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.

And people think these kinds of things only happen in Ypsi schools (Ypsi, WR, Lincoln). This goes to show....you can't judge a school by its location. Ann Arbor has problems just like the any other school districts.

nickcarraweigh

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.

There might be lots of back-end potential on the rematch, Youtube, T-shirts, mugs with mug shots. You name it. By the way, who won?

Brian Bundesen

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.

Very disappointing display. Sad day for Ann Arbor high school football.

A2Dave

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.

Hey, coach Gildersleeve, it is your defense's job to stop the offense. They are under no obligation to stop themselves. Civility usually calls for mercy, but it is not mandatory. Get them next year in the game, not by screaming and fighting after the game.

Nicole Streeter

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.

I have been out of school for 20 years, and not from Ann Arbor originally, but Pioneer HAS ALWAYS been "unsportsmanlike" and mouthy. It seems there is some major altercation quite frequently surrounding games and I am unfortunately unfazed at the behavior, as poor behavior on students, teachers and parents seems to have become the "in thing." Sad, Sad.

clownfish

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.

Kind of amazing how people can take an incident at a high school football game and make gross generalizations about liberals, things west of a certain road etc. Is anybody surprised when the adults "think" like that that this kind of stuff happens?

Big Bad Wolf

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.

Shame on Huron's head coach for not allowing an opponent to play until the game clock is zero. This is a learning moment for your team, Coach Gildersleeve. You play to win. Play within the rules, but ALWAYS play to win. Do your players really want their opponent to take pity on them?

Richard C

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.

A brawl like this does bring up the issue of what justifies school sponsored sports. If "good sportsmanship" is more important than the game itself, then why wasn't the game canceled, with the teams exhibiting "poor sportsmanship" penalized in some way? But if the game is more important, then I'd rather not hear any hypocrisy about how such sports teach sportsmanship as a justification for the brutality of the spectacle. The football program - including officiating - needs to be honest. Claiming "sportsmanship" as a justification while celebrating bloody contact isn't honest.

Wolf's Bane

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.

People, playing a dumb sport. What, now A2 has to become a laughing stock for not just for its hideous architecture, but bad sportsmanship like behavior, nice work. Really.

Jim Osborn

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.

I was at the game, the first high school game that I've been to since I was In high school. I saw the brawl, and especially the swung crutch. The person who swung the crutch appeared to be restrained by an official, or someone. So, I wonder as I read this, why was he not restrained until handed over to police. Was he a player with a number? I wondered as I saw this, "Wow, this is a new level, like swinging a baseball bat, and could really hurt someone". Well, it did. I do hope that the owner is easy to track down and has to explain what happened to his crutch. I'm sure that he is known. The lack of leadership of both team's coaches, the Huron Head coach and the Pioneer assistant coach is appalling. They started a bad situation when their job is to defuse situations. This should have been in the back of their minds with the past history of the team's, but sadly it was not. They set a very poor example.

JPLewis

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.

I don't go for the taking a knee thing. Play hard until the clock runs out. If that hurts the feelings of the other team, too bad! If they can't handle it, then don't play the game. Sheeeze.....what a bunch of sensitive snowflakes these athletes are, (both the kids and adults).

Soothslayer

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.

Mama says foosball is the devil

jns131

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 1:01 p.m.

Wasn't there something in pro ball that was similar to this a while back? O what a hoot. Huron vs Pioneer, sparring and football. Missed a good game I hear. So, who broke up the fight? The police? Wow. Never heard of such a thing. Good luck to the guy that got the stitches.

jcj

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:58 p.m.

I can not believe this did not remain the lead story when some are left up for days! Here is a link that might raise some eyebrows, it did mine! I missed it at the time. http://www.miprepzone.com/washtenaw/results.asp?ID=7640 This would not happen under Jay Stielstra or Chuck Ritter.

kathy coles

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.

As a parent of one of those players, and someone that was at the game AND seen what happened, many of these comments are coming from those that weren't at the game and don't know what actually happened. I am not saying that there wasn't fault on both sides, however, Pioneer was playing dirty the majority of the game, it wasn't coach sleeves place to tell coach test what plays to call. The see was no reason for the Pioneer coaches to make rude comments to the Huron players and coaches as they were heading into the locker room at halftime, there was no reason for coach Sleeve to be knocked down to the ground after the game from behind as he was lining his boys up to shake hands. Pioneer's bench was cleared first and even the players went after our injured players on the sidelines who were on crutches. The Huron players are taught pride and discipline on a daily basis . They are a band of brothers in every sense of the statement. Dottie is a great AD and there was no comment to Ann Arbor. Com because she was speaking to the police and also to our boys to make sure they were ok. She always puts not only her athletes, but all students and their families first. She won't just sweep this under the rug but will wait until she has all the facts before making decisions. Paul Test was fired once before from coaching at Pioneer, not sure why he was ever hired again. And before you say anything about me being biased I am a Pioneer graduate so my heart is always there. For the record, I was able to see my son the entire time so he was not one that was involved in any of the fighting.

thecompound

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.

But when UM ran up the score on Massachusetts it was just so they could get practice for the second string, right? This is a very unfortunate event and it will be interesting to see how the higher-ups handle it.

bluemax79

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:37 p.m.

that is too bad not sure the situation at the end as far as what players were in the game (3rd or 4th string QB?) and if they had not played) but sounds like the Pioneer coach said he didn't call that. the Huron coach was obviously embarrassed by his teams poor performance and didn't like getting the score run up on him, but personally if there is time left I have no problem with running a play, your scout team works there buts off during the week. A long bomb probably not but I have no problem handing off the ball to run out the clock instead of the victory formation.

Doug

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.

Pioneer head coach, Paul Test, is an embarrassment to the school at which I played football for three years. The brawl, and the Dexter game, in which he tried an onside kick with a huge lead late in the game, have turned me off to the team I supported. Coaching skills he has, but I question the character of the team.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.

Tell me, someone, the beneficial aspects of this "sport," that cannot be had through more civilized activities?

Bogie

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.

Thank you Dottie, and Eve, for not succumbing to the "spontaneous disciplining" that today's web mobs demand. Let the police do their job, and issue discipline accordingly. My brother (who coaches high school sports) had to obtain an attorney, to combat silly administrators. His photo was on tv, and he couldn't leave his home, for something, that his players did ON THEIR OWN TIME!

huh7891

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:50 a.m.

Great example to set!

utownie

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:48 a.m.

The school board needs to conduct a thorough and quick review. Any school employee actively involved in contributing to the fight or nearby and not trying to stop it, should be disciplined. It sounds like a few should be terminated. Any student actively involved in fighting should be off the team for the rest of the season plus whatever discipline is normal for fighting on school grounds. The two schools are part of the same organization and community. The board needs to step up and quickly.

fjord

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:36 a.m.

Oh, the annarbor.com comments section ... where you're guaranteed to see a whole lot of finger-pointing from people who weren't present, and whose only knowledge of an incident comes from the story they just read.

olddog

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:27 a.m.

Suspend both coaches for the rest of the season. We do not need deep city wide rivalries that go beyond the game. The coaches just demonstrated that being right and winning is more important then playing the game. As a tax payer I am not paying for a winning season I am paying for the bigger lessons that sports teach and the coaches just failed to teach those.

zip the cat

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:25 a.m.

ALL players and coaches involved in this need to be terminated. But with the school board we have this will be swept under the rug just like all the other stuff.

Wake Up A2

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.

You will have to wait until the minister of propaganda to makes the statement to find out what will happen. So Liz, lets have it..... Personally all parties should be fired. Both teams seasons should be done. A top shelf cleaning job, not what will most likely follow.

Sparky87

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.

All coaches and players that participated need to be suspended.

EightySeven

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 11:02 a.m.

Did this fight happen west of Carpenter Road???? I thought only stuff like this happened in Ypsilanti. My guess is that Gildersleeve will be fired over this along will his overall performance with the football program.

tom swift jr.

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 10:49 a.m.

Any coach or player involved in this in any way should be fired/removed from the team. Ann Arbor Schools should also seriously consider ending the season for both teams. This is just shameful.

Chip Reed

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 10:32 a.m.

This is bush league. You're making my school look bad.

glimmertwin

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 10:27 a.m.

I was at the Lincoln vs. Ypsilanti game and made several comments about how the players showed respect for each other and played with excellent sportsmanship. Go figure. Those guys west of Carpenter Road just can't seem to get their act together.

average joe

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 10:12 a.m.

If the unsportsmanship plays were indeed being called in the huddle as coach Test indicated, then it is his job as the coach to discipline the players involved, such as having them sit-out or suspend them for the next game. It's his job to instruct his players in sportsmanship & respect first. The games are secondary.

Bob Heinold

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 9:33 a.m.

Looks exciting. How about some more photos to liven up coverage? -Bob H.

skiplite

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 8:10 a.m.

What? Ann Arbor?

Andrea

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:31 a.m.

In the many years that Dottie Davis has been the AD for Huron she has done nothing but put the kids first. She did everything she was suppose to do in a situation like this. Dottie is the type of person to get the facts straight before making comments, which is what everyone should do before opening there mouth . She has zero tolerance for violence and will do what is right when all the facts are in. Why don't we all just take this article with a grain of salt considering we have not heard the whole story. Unless you have been a successful AD you have no right to critique Ms. Davis. The truth will come out eventually and when it does she will do the right thing.

Lisa

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 5:16 a.m.

I'm ashamed to live in Ann Arbor right now. My tax dollars support this? Both teams should be banned from playing football for a year. Maybe the players, coaches, and angry parents could spend their time working in a homeless shelter.

ThinkingOne

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.

Bobby - I disagree with you on this, strictly on a timing issue. We have no idea how soon after these events occurred AD Davis was asked for a comment, but it would appear to be very soon afterward. I think it is prudent for the AD to not say anything until she is sure exactly what happened and how it came about. This article was not posted until almost 11:00; the reporter seems to have had plenty of time to talk to numerous people and get details about what transpired. Such details were likely not available directly after the event. Also note that the person quoted the most is the Pioneer head coach, who may not be the most neutral person to rely on. On a related note, without taking any sides on who is 'right' or 'wrong' on any of these, I notice that Pioneer football has had a few incidents this year that might fall under the general category of sportsmanship. I just have to wonder if there is a relationship between these and the retirement of former AD Lorin Cartwright.

Craig

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:26 a.m.

Pioneer players taunted, and laughed at the Huron huddle after the game this is completly out of line. I feel shame for both Schools Pioneer for starting it and Huron for giving in and fighting back!!! This is a sad day in Ann Arbor high school football.

BobbyJohn

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 4:11 a.m.

There is bad sportsmanship, and then there is BAD sportsmanship. No excuse for a coach or an assistant coach to get physical with someone in this manner. Both Coach Gildersleeve and also the the Pioneer assistant coach who tackled Gildersleeve should be let go, if the account stated in the above article is accurate. Their primary jobs are to be role models to their players and to teach them how to handle situations like what happened as REAL MEN, not as children from dysfunctional families.Coach Test appears to have done nothing to warrant any official action. I am disappointed in AD Davis, in that she was not willing to immediately outright condemn the violence that sent a young man to the hospital. Only good fortune prevented worse injuries. There should, therefore, be some kind of disciplinary action be considered against Ms. Davis by AAPS, and should be done promptly. Why not immediately condemn harmful violence on the field.

Duper Bro

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:59 a.m.

I have a feeling that Gildersleeve is gonna get fired over this. You can't do something like that without severe consequences.

Veracity

Sat, Oct 13, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.

Children! Children! Can't we play nicely?