OSG High: The Cullman-Walker Decision

((HT: Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle))

Here's the fight from last Friday...
((HT: TV16HD, Jasper AL))


The first steps came in the administrative leave and, then, resignation of Walker Head Coach John Holladay...

Now, we know the rest...

The Alabama High School Athletic Association has placed Walker High School on a restrictive probation, fined the school $1,500 and also placed John Holladay on a one-year suspension. Cullman's defensive coordinator Matt Hopper was also suspended for the remainder of the 2013 season, and Cullman was fined $1,500 and placed on non-restrictive probation.

Under the restrictive probation, Walker is also banned from post-season play this year.

The HQ immediately finds the Hopper suspension strange considering all he seems to be doing is reaching for a postgame handshake before his face kept running into Holladay's fist...

“The AHSAA encourages the two schools to work together to enhance relations between their student-athletes and communities and, in doing so, demonstrate the leadership necessary to foster the AHSAA’s mission of good sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese in a statement.

“It is time to move the focus away from this isolated event and note the outstanding sportsmanship that is exhibited across our state by our member schools, teams and coaches each week. Let’s now move forward and accent the positive impact education-based athletics makes daily in the lives of our student-athletes, coaches, schools and communities.”

OSG High: Walker High Names Interim Head Coach After Brawl (UPDATE W/Resignation)

((HT: Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle/Bentley))

Walker High School has named offensive assistant Heath Brunner as interim coach in the stead of John Holladay while the investigation is still ongoing in the brawl between Cullman and Walker High's football teams last Friday night.

From Bentley:

“Coach Brunner is the interim coach, but I think this staff is cohesive enough to where several guys could fill in,” Jasper Schools AD Jimmie Alexander said. “Coach Holladay is an offensive coach and Brunner runs the offense. This is temporary until we find out what we can from the state. Someone had to be named (head coach) to carry on with the team. I sure hope our season is not over.”

The Alabama High School Athletic Association will be discussing the brawl with Cullman officials today to determine their side of the story. The prevailing thought is that either or both teams may not be allowed into the post season as a first punishment.

Holladay is on administrative leave pending a decision...

Here's what everyone is talking about... just in case you haven't seen it yet...
((HT: TV16HD Jasper))


And the day after reporting from Birmingham
((HT: Alabamas13.com))


PM UPDATE: Holladay has resigned from his position after a meeting with the AHSAA...

Seems like a self-punishment in the hopes that the AHSAA will let Walker in the playoffs if they make it...

More when we know more...

OSG High: And We Have Our First Fight Of The Year ( SUNDAY UPDATE)

((HT: MyFoxAL))

For that, we go to Jasper, Alabama and Cullman's 13-10 victory over Walker...

A fight started on the field immediately following the game.

Cell phone video from Shannon Maze shows what looks like a lot of people involved...


The Cullman-Times newspaper reports the fight involved players and coaches from both teams.

Cullman defensive coordinator Matt Hopper could be seen emerging from the crowd with multiple bruises on his face. The Jasper Daily Mountain Eagle Facebook page shows a really

nasty photo of Hopper bruised and bloody (pictured, right, thanks Jeff Johnsey), with an officer grabbing him by the collar to keep him from getting back into the fray- whether on offense or defense, we don't know...

The brawl was broken up, but there isn't any word on arrests or any other discipline at present.

More when we know more...

TV 16 in Jasper, Alabama televised the game... the video of the fight is hyah...
And below...


From the looks of things, a Jasper coach took a swing at Hopper and it blew up from there...

SUNDAY UPDATE: The Mountain Eagle reports that Walker coach John Holladay has been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the investigation.

From the article by Johnathan Bentley & Ron Harris:

“Coach Holladay is under administrative leave and has no involvement with the team,” Jasper City Schools AD Jimmie Alexander said. “You hate to see any situation that causes a blight on the program. There are a lot of factors that need to be looked at. We will continue to investigate and go from there. I can tell you we will have a thorough investigation.

“[Jasper Police Chief] Connie Rowe has been cooperative and is following up on her end.”

Police are investigating whether or not charges will be filed. Cullman officials have no thought of disciplining any of their coaches or players. The Alabama High School Football Athletic Association is reviewing the events with Cullman officials Tuesday