7 ejected in Austin-East, Union Co. football fight

Knoxville area high school football programs from Austin-East and Union County have been placed on probation and fined $1,000 after a fight between the programs during their Week 10 game last Friday.

Both programs, though, will remain eligible for the TSSAA football playoffs.

Austin-East beat host Union County 58-30 in a game that was called off with 5:21 left when Union County refused to take the field after a fight between the two teams.

TSSAA executive director Mark Reeves placed both schools on probation through the 2024-25 school year and fined each school $1,000 — $500 for each school year on probation.

The officials report states after an unsuccessful two-point conversion following an Austin-East touchdown, an Austin-East player “attacked a player for Union County and tried to throw punches.” A flag was thrown as more players gathered on the field.

The report stated that another Austin-East player was seen throwing punches as coaches tried to break it up. The original Austin-East player then tried to “reengage” and went after a Union County player, according to the report.

“After it was broken up again, Union County coaches said they were not going to finish the game on account of safety for their players,” the report stated.

Union County players and coaches left the game and the officiating crew came together to record the incident.

The officials said seven total players were ejected — six from Austin-East and one from Union County. AustinEast had two ejected for fighting and four for leaving the sideline. Union County's player was ejected for leaving the sideline.

By TSSAA rule, any player ejected from a football game is suspended for one game.

Before everyone exited the field, the referees met with Austin-East coach Antonio Mays and Union County Vice Principal Chris Robbins to report what happened. After explaining their findings, the officials were then escorted by security to the locker room.

Mays declined comment when contacted by Knox News and referred questions to Knox County Schools.

A statement from Knox County Schools stated the school had investigated and “handled the situation in accordance with district policy.”

The letter stated that it evaluates bench clearing to determine if the incident is deserving of a restrictive probation or postseason ban.

“The quick de-escalation and return to the sidelines by players from both schools are what made our staff believe that probation was the more appropriate penalty,” the letter said.

Knox News sent emails to Union County Public Schools and Union County High School's principal, athletic director and football coach on Tuesday. No response has been received. AustinEast Athletic Director responded to Knox News's email and said to communicate with Knox County Schools.

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter, @TJ3rd_.