Victor Valley’s football program just got hit with a one-week suspension, and Coach Thomas Riley isn’t ducking the blame for it. The district dropped the hammer, forcing the Jackrabbits to forfeit their September 18 game against Brea Olinda, and Riley immediately stepped up to take responsibility for the entire mess.
Bell Game Victory Turned Sour: What Went Down After the Whistle
Everyone remembers the high of September 11, when Victor Valley snagged their second straight Bell Game victory over Apple Valley with a dominant 20-7 win. That’s a huge deal, especially after busting a 12-game losing streak in the rivalry. The players earned that victory on the field, absolutely battled for 48 minutes and brought home the Bell. But what happened immediately afterward? That’s the real story and why we’re talking about a suspension instead of celebrating. The Victor Valley Union High School District confirmed it: unsportsmanlike behavior toward Apple Valley players and their fans became the focus. District officials saw several Victor Valley players holding up their middle fingers toward the opposing sideline and stands, and others ran over to taunt fans, staff, and players after the game. Talk about taking the shine off a huge rivalry win, right?
Riley’s Raw Take: “I Must Do a Better Job”
Coach Riley, in his second season at the helm, isn’t sugarcoating anything. He said he’s “deeply disappointed in some of the ways we celebrated immediately after the game” and, this is the kicker, he declared, **”I must do a better job teaching grace and humility.”** That’s a bold statement, folks. He’s not publicly challenging the district’s decision; he’s owning it. Even while he remains “extremely proud” of his players’ work on the field, he knows the post-game actions were out of line. The district backed up their decision with cold, hard facts: security video, social media posts, staff-taken photos and videos, published media, and eyewitness accounts. They straight-up said that “engaging with the opposition in this manner is not only unsportsmanlike, it also poses potential safety threats to our students, staff and fans.” They expect student-athletes to follow the CIF-Southern Section Code of Ethics, which means respect for opponents and no profanity, vulgarity, or offensive gestures. That’s a clear message.
This ain’t just a slap on the wrist; it’s a wake-up call for the entire program. Riley apologized to the district, the Board of Trustees, and the community. The district’s decision is final, no question there. But you gotta respect a coach who promises, “The entire Victor Valley football team will learn from this and do much better in the future.” They’re looking forward to getting back on the field after this suspension and, get this, “defending the Bell next season.” That’s the kind of forward-looking resolve you want to see.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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