Parent accused of working with refs to throw Chicago state football quarterfinal
A Chicago high school’s alumni association, football booster club and parents filed a lawsuit against the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) alleging misconduct in a state quarterfinal.
Simeon Alumni Association, Blue Machine booster club and a handful of players’ parents filed the lawsuit Friday after Simeon Career Academy lost to Nazareth Academy, 34-27, on Nov. 10. They allege that the father of a Nazareth football player, identified as Ricard Mercado, wore his referee uniform and was involved in game calls, though he was not officiating the game, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Father ‘did what was needed’ to win
The lawsuit claims that the father was standing on the sidelines dressed as an official and spoke to the actual crew.
“Mercado was on the Nazareth sideline talking to referees during the game and telling them what calls to make,” Shay Allen, an attorney for the Simeon Alumni Association and parents, told the Chicago Sun Times. “The calls cost Simeon the game. After the game Mercado was trolling the Simeon players on social media, making comments saying ‘I did that to you.’”
According to Facebook posts cited in the suit, the father wrote “I did what was needed to make sure Naz won” and “I didn’t make one bad call. I made sure the best team won.”
IHSA told the Chicago Tribune it was aware of the media reports, but had not yet received notification and had no comment. The suits argues the father’s actions violate the IHSA rules and bylaws. It asks that the governing body vacate Nazareth’s victory and refuses to employ the father and the crew that worked the game.
Nazareth mounts comeback in controversial victory
The Nazareth Roadrunners came back from a first-quarter 14-0 deficit and mounted a goal-line stand at the end to move on, according to the game story from the Chicago Tribune.
South Dakota State recruit Diamond Evans had an interception that resulted in a touchdown and scored one himself to put the team up, 28-21, with 8:20 to go.
The Roadrunners’ defense stopped Simeon twice at the 2-yard line in the final seconds to move on in the playoffs.
The Sun Times gamer gave more detail on those final seconds. Simeon drove 79 yards to the goal line and called its final timeout with 20.5 seconds.
“One snap later, the clock expired in what felt like mayhem and confusion.”
A Nazareth player and an official fumbled the ball as time expired, according to the Sun Times story regarding the lawsuit.
Nazareth defeated Batavia, the reigning Class 7A champion, in the state semifinals over the weekend and is scheduled to play the championship against St. Charles North at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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