Palmdale Player Attacks Referee

A Golden League football game between Palmdale and Saugus at College of the Canyons on Friday night was suspended midway through the fourth quarter when a Palmdale player tackled an official at midfield.

Palmdale’s Darius Wilson, a two-way starter, grabbed an official and threw him to the ground with the score tied, 0-0, and 7:40 to play. Palmdale had just been flagged for successive personal fouls--a late hit out of bounds and unsportsmanlike conduct of Palmdale’s bench.

Wilson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior, was arrested and charged with battery, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman. Wilson, 18, later was released on his own recognizance, the spokesman said.

After Wilson’s attack, Palmdale’s Mike Warren hit another official, and both benches cleared. As officials attempted to break up the melee, Palmdale players taunted Saugus players and six patrol cars were dispatched to the scene.

Within minutes, game officials suspended play and said that the game’s outcome will be determined by the Southern Section office.

“We’ll present the information to the commissioner,” line judge Denny Thompson said. “That’s all we can say at this point.”

Tempers warmed even before the game began. After the preceding sophomore game, which Palmdale won, 56-20, Palmdale players chanted “We Are Palmdale” repeatedly toward the Saugus stands. Both head coaches exchanged words at midfield during a first-quarter timeout when Saugus Coach Dick Flaherty spoke with the officials regarding what Flaherty believed was rough play by Palmdale.

Five personal fouls were called, three against Palmdale, which was penalized seven times for 85 yards. Also, a Palmdale fan ran through Saugus’ 10-foot banner before the start of the second half, which angered Saugus fans.

“I don’t care whether it’s a win or a loss,” Flaherty said. “I just think something has to be done about the attitude of those people.”

Palmdale Coach Kent Bothwell refused to comment as Wilson was led by sheriff’s deputies to a waiting patrol car.

Saugus went into the game with a 3-2 record and Palmdale, the preseason league favorite, was 1-4. Neither team penetrated farther than the other’s 20-yard line. Palmdale’s LaShante Parker had 142 yards in 21 carries as Palmdale had outgained Saugus, 220 yards to 30.

Bothwell was surprised by the bitterness.

“We’ve always had good rapport,” Bothwell said. “It had always been a very affable situation. But this got intense.”