Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

high school football:

Rancho salvages homecoming night against Chaparral despite forfeit

Rancho Running Back Howard Wingstop Player of Week

L.E. Baskow

The Rancho HIgh football team ends a light-day practice Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, the day before their next game.

The Chaparral High football team won by an odd score this week — 1-0 over Rancho.

The teams were scheduled to play tonight for Rancho’s homecoming game, but the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association ruled Rancho had to forfeit as penalty for last week’s brawl against Las Vegas. Thus, Chaparral was awarded the 1-0 victory.

The fight, which occurred near the Rancho sideline at the end of the third quarter of a 49-0 loss to Las Vegas, was deemed a "bench-clearing" brawl by the NIAA. So, instead of suspending individual players, Rancho was automatically forced to forfeit, per NIAA guidelines.

Rancho coach Tom Pletsch acted quickly to move the junior varsity game to Friday night, allowing one of Southern Nevada’s longest-standing schools to keep its homecoming festivities.

“Homecoming is about the students,” Pletsch said. “We weren’t going to let the NIAA decision take homecoming from the students. Chaparral JV and Rancho JV saved homecoming for Rancho."

The game, which Chaparral JV won 20-6, drew an estimated 2,000 fans.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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