Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 | 1:12 p.m.
The Arbor View football team’s 28-27 victory against Desert Pines in double overtime on Friday has been changed to a double forfeit following a fight at the conclusion of the contest involving multiple players on each team, officials determined this afternoon.
Additionally, Arbor View will forfeit its game this week against Bishop Gorman, and Desert Pines will forfeit against Liberty.
The programs were bracing for a forfeit ruling for the upcoming week’s games, knowing Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association rules call for a one-game suspension for fighting. But they were surprised about the double-forfeit ruling of last week’s game.
Association rules — NAC 85B.318 — state that “if a coach, athlete, pupil or spectator specified ... engages in conduct that interrupts or adversely affects the manner in which the game, contest or meet is conducted, the sports official assigned to the game, contest or meet may ... order the offending school to forfeit the game.”
The teams are regarded as two of the best in Nevada and seemingly always play in closely contested games against each other. Four of the last five meetings were decided by a single point.
Arbor View lost freshman quarterback Thaddeus Thatcher to a collarbone injury but rallied behind backup Alonzo Balderrama to erase a touchdown-deficit in the second half to force overtime.
Balderrama connected with freshman Kai Cypher in overtime to even the score at 27, and Jeau Vinatieri made the game-winning extra point.
Three days later, the win was wiped away. Same with the opportunity for both teams to win this week.
The forfeits won’t impact either team’s playoff chances because all seven teams in the Class 5A, Division 1 will make the postseason.
