In one of many strangest occurrences in state highschool soccer historical past, the Metropolis Part’s No. 1-ranked crew, Narbonne, is about to go seven weeks with out enjoying a sport. That’s as a result of the coaches of Marine League groups at Banning, San Pedro, Gardena and Carson made an agreement to forfeit games in opposition to the Gauchos until the Metropolis Part took motion to deal with alleged rule violations.
It’s the ultimate week of the common season, and solely Carson is left to forfeit its sport Friday. Colts coach Michael Christensen says it’s taking place. Narbonne hasn’t performed since Sept. 27, in opposition to King/Drew, and received’t play once more till Nov. 15, the beginning of the Open Division playoffs.
The one downside with the coaches’ stance — and it’s an enormous one — is that no proof of wrongdoing has been produced. Their precept — get up in opposition to alleged dishonest — is brave at a time few wish to go on the file and danger getting disciplined by their administration for a controversial stance.
There’s cause to be suspicious as a result of Narbonne was put on probation, banned from the playoffs and had a Metropolis Part title taken away in 2019 for utilizing an ineligible participant. This system was investigated by the Los Angeles Unified Faculty District. The previous coach, Manuel Douglas, bought caught up in an FBI and IRS investigation involving cash donated by a booster for gear, uniforms and journey bills.
For the reason that spring, Narbonne has acquired 24 transfers to its program, probably the most of any crew within the Metropolis Part, in keeping with commissioner Vicky Lagos. However Lagos mentioned, “Nobody has given us something to contradict the paperwork.”
Info matter. The road being thrown round, “The place there’s smoke, there’s hearth” is meaningless until confirmed.
With no proof, there might be no motion. In the meantime, gamers at Narbonne have been caught training and training whereas hoping for a decision. The very fact adults have been unable to provide you with an answer is an epic failure on their half.
Clearly the Marine League coaches determined it’s the long run they’re most fearful about. Narbonne had separated itself beneath Douglas, who received 9 Metropolis titles and two state titles and was competing in opposition to high Southern Part faculties. When he resigned in 2020, the Gauchos had an exodus of gamers, leaving this system at all-time low. Enter a former Banning junior varsity coach, Malcolm Manuel, who took his lumps when going 2-9 in 2021 (together with a 49-0 loss to San Pedro) and 6-7 in 2022 (together with a 46-7 loss to Carson).
The Gauchos aren’t near being as sturdy because the previous Narbonne groups, so the choice to boycott enjoying them has nothing to do with security causes. It’s primarily based on issues that they may be headed to powerhouse standing once more, leading to gamers from throughout desirous to play for them.
The factor is, households have a selection of what faculty to attend. They will transfer, they will switch, they will choose a faculty for athletic causes, they will get a allow. San Pedro, Carson, Banning and Gardena all have transfers and say it’s not about transfers. However it clearly is.
The LAUSD and Metropolis Part aren’t afraid to analyze on-the-record allegations. The coaches know that. Hawkins Excessive’s program was investigated in 2017, the coach fired and all of the transfers stopped. The very fact LAUSD has did not resolve this newest predicament is surprising.
Forfeits within the Metropolis Part have an extended, disturbing historical past, beginning with the 1977 season when Lincoln refused to come out of the locker room at halftime after trailing 63-0 to Wilson. It launched a nationwide debate about who was proper, who was unsuitable and when is quitting allowed for security causes.
Are Marine League coaches actually saying it’s OK for his or her gamers to forfeit to Narbonne for security causes?
The query is how you can transfer ahead. One or two of those boycotting groups may find yourself going through Narbonne within the Metropolis Part Open Division playoffs. They definitely will conform to play as a result of forfeiting a playoff sport would end in this system being banned from subsequent yr’s playoffs.
Will followers behave? Will gamers shake arms? Will coaches alternate movie? Will LAPD want to come back out en pressure?
The one blessing in disguise may very well be Narbonne gamers utilizing their break day to deal with faculty. Quarterback Jaden O’Neal let everybody know he’s bought a 4.0 grade-point common this semester. Narbonne will win the Marine League championship with 4 forfeit wins and possibly be seeded No. 1 within the playoffs with an 8-2 file.
A request to interview Narbonne gamers was declined. Manuel additionally has declined to talk on the file apart from his Oct. 9 assertion denying his program was concerned in any actions that will jeopardize eligibility.
It’s an enormous mess with issues on each side. The adults have to have their very own conclave in a locked room, with no cellphones. No person will get out till it’s labored out. In search of the white smoke may take time.
