HEMPSTEAD — Wharton returned to the field Friday night for the first time since the Sept. 24 postgame altercation with Sterling, falling 34-14 to Hempstead in the Tigers’ District 11-3A Division I opener.
The Tigers entered Friday’s game following an open week that came after the incident involving Wharton and Sterling players in Houston.
Wharton ISD has since confirmed that 13 Wharton players were investigated in connection with the altercation. Six were cleared, while seven received disciplinary action.
Of those seven players, five received either a suspension or in-school suspension, while two were assigned to a disciplinary alternative education program, or DAEP.
The five players who received suspensions or in-school suspensions had served their discipline and were allowed to return to school and the football program. The two students assigned to DAEP will be eligible to return to the team after returning to regular classes, provided the football season is still underway.
Wharton head football coach Jason Haddock has also said UIL did not impose mandatory suspensions stemming from the incident because the altercation occurred after the game had ended and no players were ejected during the game. Some players, however, were expected to lose playing time as a consequence of their involvement.
UIL previously told Wharton Post that it was aware of the Wharton-Sterling incident and had been in contact with administrators from both Wharton ISD and Houston ISD.
UIL Communications Manager Julia Zachary said both schools were investigating the incident and taking disciplinary action they considered appropriate. UIL said reports from the schools would later go before the local District Executive Committee, which could determine whether additional action is necessary.
Tigers struggle at Hempstead
Friday’s game marked Wharton’s return to competition after the investigation and open week.
The Tigers struggled to get going offensively and fell 34-14 to Hempstead, dropping Wharton to 0-6 overall and 0-1 in district play.
Coach Haddock said injuries forced Wharton to make several adjustments throughout the lineup.
“We had a tough night tonight playing without a lot of guys in their normal position,” Haddock said. “We had injuries that we were trying to cover up.”
Special teams also caused problems for Wharton, particularly on punts.
“Our biggest struggle tonight was special teams with several bad snaps on punt,” Haddock said.
Despite the loss, Haddock credited Hempstead and said the Tigers now have to regroup.
“We’ve got to get healthy and regroup for a tough Columbus team next week,” Haddock said. “Hats off to Coach Gordon and his staff at Hempstead.”
Columbus up next
Wharton will return home to face Columbus on Friday, Oct. 16, at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The matchup will be Wharton’s second district game since returning to action following the Sterling incident.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported Wharton’s final score against Hempstead as 34-6. The correct final score was 34-14.
The article has been updated.
Leave a Reply