Officials look into postgame brawl

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina High School League are conducting investigations following a brawl between football teams from Wilson and Lake City high schools.

Nearly every player from both teams was involved in the fight Thursday night at Memorial Stadium, which began as soon as the clock ran out on Lake City’s 19-12 upset of the defending 3A state champions.

It’s unclear how the fight began or who started it, but several players sucker-punched others who were on the ground, and some used their helmets to beat opposing players.

“The actions of a few have caused such an unfortunate incident,” Sheriff Kenney Boone said in a statement. “The investigation is still ongoing, and when it is concluded, we will take the appropriate measures regarding this matter.”

Coaches, game officials and deputies broke up the brawl after nearly five minutes of fighting.

Bruce Hulion, who oversees football for the SCHSL, said representatives from Wilson met with several league officials Friday in Columbia to discuss the incident.

Hulion wouldn’t give any details about the meeting, and Wilson coach Darryl Page didn’t return multiple voice mails.

Lake City coach Justin Gentry declined comment.

SCHSL executive director Jerome Singleton said late Friday afternoon that representatives from Lake City were on their way to Columbia to meet with league officials.

Lake City athletic director Willie Thomas confirmed that he was on his way to meet with the SCHSL when reached Friday afternoon. Thomas wouldn’t comment on the fight, but said he expects a decision on disciplinary action from the league by Tuesday.

Singleton said the SCHSL is gathering written statements from both teams and waiting to see if any video surfaces before making any decisions.

“We’re just waiting to see what the schools will provide us,” Singleton said. “Everything can happen with two teams involved in a fight.

“If there’s a fight, you’ve got players that’ll be ineligible. Schools could be reprimanded and fined.”

The fight happened shortly after Lake City defensive end Donquill McElveen lay motionless on the field for about 15 minutes before being taken to a local hospital.

McElveen’s injury happened with 5:41 left in the game on a play in which Wilson quarterback Maliek McCall threw a 14-yard pass to Caleb Davis, but McElveen was at least 20 yards behind where the play ended.

Lake City offensive line coach Brandon Shealy, the only coach from either team who would comment immediately following the fight, said McElveen was “speared in the back with a helmet.”

Thomas said McElveen underwent tests and X-rays and that he was moving and able to get up Thursday night.

Shealy said the fight wasn’t an act of retaliation for McElveen’s injury, rather it was the result of two former region rivals meeting in Week One.

Lt. Brett Camp said deputies were told some of Wilson’s players were upset about the loss, which led to those players spitting on Lake City players and throwing their helmets at them.

At least one player from each team was handcuffed following the brawl, but Camp said they were later released and that no arrests were made.

Morning News sports writer Justin Driggers contributed to this report.