published: Friday, November 21, 2008

Nature Coast players charged in football fight with South Lake

DAVID DONALD

Staff Writer

Four football players from Nature Coast High School in Brookesville will likely face criminal charges after a Nov. 7 game-ending brawl with players from South Lake High School.

Lake County Sheriff's spokesman James Vachon said detectives expect to file the charges Monday after they concluded their investigation. Before charges are filed, the Nature Coast football players will have an opportunity to give their side, Vachon said.

The department has not received any reports or complaints from Nature Coast High School regarding any South Lake players involved in the clash. If and when they receive those complaints, they'll be handle the same way, Vachon said.

"We're not going to show any favoritism here," he said.

Two South Lake players suffered injuries in the scuffle and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Two juveniles were hit in the head with a football helmet and another was kicked in the ribs, according to a sheriff's incident report.

The charges against the Nature Coast players include felony battery, Vachon said.

With 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter and undefeated Nature Coast leading 40-24, an lights malfuntioned, and the feild went dark. A brouhaha followed and the fight led to an indefinite suspension of the varsity football squads of South Lake and Nature Coast.

Both teams were forced by the Florida High School Athletic Association to forfeit their Friday night games. South Lake was scheduled to host Tavares High School Tornados.

Officials at South Lake and Nature Coast could not be reached for comment.