Southern Section officials have rejected an appeal...

Southern Section officials have rejected an appeal by the Antelope Valley Union High School District to repeal sanctions imposed on Palmdale High after three of its football players attacked two game officials during a game against Saugus in October.

The Southern Section executive committee, at a hearing Wednesday in which players, coaches and administrators from both schools testified, sustained sanctions by the Golden League, which awarded Saugus a forfeit victory and placed Palmdale on probation for next season.

The league also banned three players from interscholastic competition for their involvement in the attacks, which forced suspension of the scoreless league game midway through the fourth quarter. The game was played at College of the Canyons.

The committee, however, said that it will “continue to explore” accusations by Palmdale players that they were the target of racial taunts by Saugus players and game officials.