The Florida High School Athletic Association is starting to send a clear and distinct message to its member schools: If you partake in any sort of fight during a game, expect real and harsh consequences.
Matanzas and Deltona both found out the hard way this week.
The FHSAA placed both programs on restrictive probation and ruled them ineligible for the 2026 postseason following a postgame fight between the teams. The news was first reported by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The incident occurred Oct. 1 after Deltona's 21-12 victory over Matanzas. Players from both teams became involved in an altercation during the postgame handshake line.
The FHSAA reviewed video of the incident before handing down its punishment.
For Deltona, the Wolves entered the week 3-3 and were in position to make a postseason push. That opportunity is now gone. Matanzas, which fell to 1-5 with the loss, will also be unable to compete in the postseason although their chances were slim to begin with.
The penalties are another example of the FHSAA taking a hard stance against fighting and sportsmanship violations, particularly when an altercation involves multiple players.
And Matanzas and Deltona weren't the only Florida programs punished this week.
Miami Carol City received a similar but more significant penalty after a postgame brawl with Grayson (GA) on Oct. 2. The nationally ranked Chiefs were banned from the 2026 postseason and placed on restrictive probation after the FHSAA determined 15 players violated its sportsmanship standards.
Four Carol City players were suspended through Dec. 13, nine received five-game suspensions and two received one-game suspensions. The school was also fined $1,500 and ordered to host an Athletic Department Compliance Workshop.
Both Matanzas and Deltona can choose to appeal if they so choose.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @AlexMartinUSAT or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pair of Florida high school football programs barred from postseason after fight
