OSAA awards South Medford win over Jefferson, but altercation remains under review

The Panthers built a 34-0 lead before a fight broke out in the Columbia Cup first-round game

The OSAA continues its review of what happened in Friday’s first-round Columbia Cup game between Jefferson and South Medford but awarded the victory to the 18th-seeded Panthers. 

The official Columbia Cup bracket has South Medford advancing with a 34-0 victory. The Panthers will play No. 26 seed North Salem on Friday.

A note posted under the final score of the Jefferson-South Medford game on the OSAA website reads:

Following an altercation between a player from each team, and in consultation with coaches, athletic directors, event management and game officials, the decision was made to terminate the game with 7:02 remaining in the 2nd quarter and South Medford leading 34-0.

Per NFHS Rule 9-8-1, any substitute leaving the team area during a fight is ejected. The OSAA is working directly with each school to identify the players that left the team area during the fight and they will be considered to be ejected from the contest, including suspension from the next contest.

The Panthers built a 34-0 lead on the strength of two fumble returns for scores and touchdowns from Kameron Rague, Ryder Scheid and Bridger Foss, but a fight broke out with 7:02 left in the second quarter following an interception, halting the game.

After the interception by Rague, a tussle occurred between the intended receiver, Montral Brazille, and South Medford players Wyatt Jennings and Austin Hofeling. During the ensuing tussle, Jennings had his helmet ripped off before at least one blow landed to his head as an official arrived to try to separate the players, as reported by Kris Henry of the Rogue Valley Times. 

Most of the Jefferson sideline entered the field close to where the altercation took place, drawing several Panthers from the near sideline as well. Eventually, coaches were able to separate the teams, but after a lengthy discussion involving Jefferson coach Anthony Stoudamire and South Medford associate head coach Jason Bauer — head coach Bill Singler calls games from the coaches box — officials decided to suspend the game. 

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