Southern Section Upholds Result of Diamond Bar Game

The Southern Section ruled Friday that the result of last week’s Division II football championship game between Diamond Bar and Upland will stand, even though Diamond Bar benefited from a fifth down on its game-winning drive.

Diamond Bar, which won 17-14, was given an extra down when officials became confused after Upland had declined a third-down holding penalty.

Upland administrators and Coach Tim Salter met with section officials earlier this week and asked that the teams be named co-champions. Diamond Bar administrators later agreed to the proposal.

“In looking at all the factors, one of the critical factors was to ask ourselves if what Upland was asking for could be done,” said Jim Staunton, commissioner of the section. “We see no rule whatsoever that says a commissioner can overturn the result of a football playoff [game] after the fact.”

The section said that disciplinary action will be taken against officials who worked the game.