Ketchikan High School could face a fine ranging from $200 to $500 and could have to pay Thunder Mountain for lost revenue or other expenses resulting from its mid-game decision to forfeit Friday night's football game against the Falcons.
Billy Strickland, the executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association, on Saturday said those are the potential punishments for pulling a team off the field.
Such an act is considered "an intentional contract violation" of ASAA's bylaws. Schools routinely sign contracts when agreeing to schedule competitions with each other, Strickland said.
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The ASAA board of directors will decide whether to penalize Ketchikan, he said, although ASAA will first ask Region V officials in Southeast Alaska to look into the matter.
Strickland said he didn't want to comment at length because he hasn't seen film of the game or talked to anyone involved.
Ketchikan coach Jim Byron told the Juneau Empire he pulled his team off the field in the second quarter of the game in Juneau because he was worried about the safety of his players. A number of players were injured in the game, including two Ketchikan players who were briefly hospitalized, the Empire reported.
"I don't want to infer anything, not having seen the game, but player safety is a huge concern," Strickland said.
ASAA bylaws say the penalty for a school's first contract violation is $200. If it is determined the violation was intentional, the fine is $500 and probation.
The school could also have to reimburse Thunder Mountain for its financial loss, which Strickland said could include loss of concession revenues and fees paid to officials.