Two players suspended for semifinal clash

Published 11:41 am Friday, December 2, 2016

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton High School football coach Matt Land said Thursday night that two Catamounts, whom he declined to name, will not play in Friday night’s Class 6A semifinal game against Valdosta at Harmon Field.

According to an incident report from the Dalton Police Department, Clay Powell Britton and Reginald Ezekiel Cobb were cited by a Dalton Police Department officer with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana Tuesday night. Britton was also charged with distracted driving and use of phone while driving under the age of 18. Clay Britton and Zeke Cobb are wide receivers on the Dalton High football team.

Land said Wednesday that two players would be disciplined for violating the school’s code of conduct policy, but declined to specify what the punishment would be. He said Thursday the two will not play in Friday night’s game, but declined to say if there will be further action beyond this game.

“I can say that two players will not play in this game,” Land said. “But this has been a group of young men that all year have responded to adversity, whether it’s been moving up in classifications, injuries or various things that have happened along the way. We’ve given them two words all year and that’s belief and respond. These guys believe in each other and everybody, not one player, all players top to bottom. That belief fuels them to try to be successful and do their jobs for the team to be successful.

“I have complete faith that our players will respond to this situation accordingly. I have all confidence that at 7:29 they will be focused on the game and we will get through it and move forward from there.” The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Cobb leads the Catamounts with 45 catches for 954 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Britton is a reserve receiver.