High school football players investigated for targeting ref with hit (Video)

Two high school football players were ejected from a game on Friday night after targeting a referee with a brutal hit, and the incident is now under investigation.

Marble Falls (Texas) beat John Jay High of San Antonio 15-9. Prior to the play where the individuals targeted the referee with the hits, John Jay players were ejected on separate plays, the San Antonio Express News reports. Their reason for taking out the referee is unclear, but the players were immediately ejected, and the resulting penalties helped Marble Falls extend their possession and effectively run out the clock for the game.

Northside ISD and the University Interscholastic League are investigating the incident. Northside AD Stan Laing said the video was “very disturbing.”

John Jay’s coach apologized to Marble Falls’ coach after the game.

“I’ve coached 14 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Marble Falls’ coach told the Express News.

We’ve actually seen something very similar in the past when it came to softball players targeting an umpire on a pitch. That was hard to watch. Considering how dangerous it is with players in full pads and gear delivering a blindside hit, this was worse to see.

We would not be surprised to see severe punishments handed down to the players in question, such as suspensions from school and dismissals from the team.

H/T Deadspin