NC football player punches referee during game, police say

HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — A Triad high school football game came to an end early on Friday night when a player threw a punch at a referee.

Andrews High School defeated Smith High School by a score of 16-14 in Friday’s contest, according to MaxPreps.

The High Point Police Department says that off-duty officers working at the game responded to an assault and confirmed that a Smith player punched a referee.

Police say that charges will be filed.

The High Point Enterprise reports that a Smith player was stopped short on an attempt to run for a first down on 4th & 2 with around 2:02 left on the game clock. A Smith player then threw a punch at the lead referee before the next play. The player was carried back to the sideline by a teammate. The decision was made to end the game early after the player who threw the punch and more Smith players made their way toward Andrews’ sideline and as fans began coming out of the stands.

The school district provided this statement after the incident:

Guilford County Schools is aware that the Ben L. Smith High versus Andrews High football game on Friday, Sept. 12, ended early due to a player allegedly hitting a referee. The unfortunate actions of one student athlete do not reflect the values or standards of our district. This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We are grateful for the quick response of game officials and law enforcement, as well as the cooperation of spectators, who exited the stadium calmly and without further incident.