Game Officials Accused of Making Racial Remarks Cleared by Panel

The Southern Section Executive Committee on Wednesday exonerated five officials of charges that they directed racial slurs at players during a high school football game last fall between Palmdale and Saugus.

Referees halted the scoreless game at College of the Canyons in the fourth quarter when three Palmdale players attacked two of the officials.

The officiating crew of Dennis Angel, Mike Davis, Mark Moretin, Dennis Thompson and Brad Woolley was cleared of charges after testifying before the committee. All can continue to work Southern Section games.

“To the man, they denied the charges, and the committee believed them,” Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas said.

Palmdale Coach Kent Bothwell, who attended the meeting with school Principal Linda Janzen, declined to comment. Janzen and Kenneth Brummel, superintendent of the Antelope Valley Union High School District, were unavailable for comment.

Palmdale was forced to forfeit the Golden League game and was placed on probation.

In addition, Palmdale players Mike Warren and Darius Wilson, 18-year-old seniors who were arrested after the game, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor-battery charges in December and were sentenced to community service.