Palmdale Players Disciplined for Attack on Officials

Disciplinary action was taken Wednesday night by the Antelope Valley Union High School District against two of three Palmdale High football players accused of attacking two officials during a Golden League game Oct. 13.

Mike Warren, 18, was expelled for the remainder of the fall semester. He will be allowed to continue his senior year through independent study and will return to regular classes for the spring semester. Keith Bennett, 16, was expelled for the remainder of the school year. He will be allowed to resume studies in the spring through independent study.

A decision on Darius Wilson, 18, the third player, was delayed until Nov. 15, when the board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting. The three players are awaiting arraignment Nov. 14 in Newhall Municipal Court on charges of misdemeanor battery. If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine, according to the Newhall district attorney’s office.

The board, reacting to proposed sanctions by the Southern Section and the Golden League, issued a three-part resolution. The resolution rejects:

* Palmdale’s forfeiture of the game, which was tied, 0-0, in the fourth quarter when the attacks occurred.

* The placement of Palmdale’s football team on probation through the 1990 season.

* The Southern Section’s ban of the players from all athletic activities.

Board member Larry Rucker warned that if the Southern Section and Golden League do not heed the resolution, “we (district schools) could form a league . . . ourselves.”