Palmdale Player Arrested for Attacking Referee

Criminal charges are expected to be filed this week against a Palmdale High School football player who tackled an official during a game Friday night at College of the Canyons, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman said.

Darius Wilson, 18, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after a bench-clearing melee forced officials to suspend a Golden League game between Palmdale and Saugus high schools midway through the fourth quarter. Wilson was released later that night.

Witnesses said that Wilson, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior, grabbed referee Bradley Woolley and threw him to the ground after Palmdale was charged with three consecutive penalties with 7:40 to play. A second official was struck by Palmdale’s Mike Warren, who was not arrested, Dixon said.

The case will be presented to the Newhall District Attorney’s office for review.

“I anticipate charges to be filed Monday or Tuesday,” said Lt. Marvin Dixon of the Sheriff’s department.

Southern Section officials will review the incident before determining the game’s outcome. The game was suspended with the score 0-0. Saugus Coach Dick Flaherty said his team should be awarded a victory by forfeit but said school administrators will pursue the matter.

“I’m not interested in a suspended game,” Flaherty said. “And I’m not interested in a letting-bygones-be-bygones tie. I think a statement should be made that will get the message across.”

Palmdale Principal Linda Janzen said Wilson, a starter as a wide receiver and defensive back, will be disciplined.

“Consequences will follow and the young man is aware of that,” Janzen said.

Janzen said Wilson might be suspended or expelled from school, or suspended from athletic competition.