Warren County Superintendent of Schools Carole Jean Carey was on hand in Sparta last Friday night when a Hancock Central player assaulted Warren County head coach David Daniel, sending the Screaming Devils coach to the hospital. According to Carey, she was walking back to the locker room with Daniel when the fracas started.“We saw helmets go up and he (Daniel) took off with the offensive coordinator.”
Carey said that she and Daniel were 30-40 feet away from the players when the melee broke out initially. The Warren County locker room was locked, according to Carey, and the team was standing outside the doors when a Hancock Central player initially smacked a Warren County player. Carey was putting equipment on the truck when she saw Daniel get struck. Daniel was taken to University Hospital before he was transferred and eventually released on Monday, according to Carey. The Augusta Chronicle reported that Daniel suffered fractures around his cheek, nose and right eye that will require major reconstructive surgery.
Assistant coach Jim Turner has been serving as acting head coach but Daniel is still involved in the team’s game plan. “He was breaking down film last night and he’s leading from afar right now,” said Carey. “He might be in the press box (for the upcoming game), but right now we just don’t know. It’s too early to tell.”
As far as the investigation, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department denied Carey’s request for GBI involvement, but that hasn’t deterred the Warren County Schools Superintendent. “I am working through the board attorney to petition the DA or the Attorney General to get the Bureau’s involvement.” Carey said that there are different faucets to the case, more than just the assault on Daniel. “A lot of things are going on. A few other things happened.” Carey did not wish to comment on the other incidents until after the investigation but she is looking out for Coach Daniel. “We need to hold the person accountable that did this to Coach Daniel.”
GHSA spokesman Steve Figueroa said the organization is waiting until authorities finish their investigation before they can get involved. “We will monitor what happens and then act,” said Figueroa. However, the GHSA cannot rule on this issue due to the fact that it took place after the game and off the field of play. “It is similar to a fight in the lunch room,” said Figueroa.
The only thing the GHSA could rule on is if the host school, in this case Hancock Central, were to be found guilty of not providing a safe atmosphere for the game. In this case, the GHSA could either fine the school or put the school on probation, possibly being ruled ineligible for the playoffs.
Mt. Pisgah Christian quarterback Kyle Sloter commited to Tulane this past Monday after visiting the campus the previous weekend. According to Sloter’s father, Kyle came away from the visit “energized,” and believes he “can be a major part of helping to turn around the program.” Some of the factors that Tulane had in its favor included a strong education and beautiful facilities on a gorgeous campus. An interesting note to keep an eye on: Tulane head coach Bob Toledo resigned the day after Sloter committed but the staff promised that the commitments will still be honored by the new coach. Sloter and his family say they will watch the selection process closely but are “hopeful (Tulane) gets in a head coach that runs the style of offense that is conducive to Kyle’s talents.”
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