Inglewood principal issues apology for football team’s 106-point win
Following Friday’s 106-0 football game and media fallout, Inglewood principal Debbie Tate issued an apology Monday to the Morningside High community.
“We did not conduct ourselves with sportsmanship and integrity and the final score was unacceptable,” Tate’s letter started.
The game caused a media storm over the weekend and became a national story.
Inglewood quarterback Justyn Martin threw for 13 touchdowns in the game that was essentially over at the end of the first quarter as the Sentinels built a 52-0 lead. The Sentinels led 86-0 at halftime.
Related Story: Inglewood scores 106 points in football game; Morningside coach calls it ‘classless’
The letter added that football coach Mil’von James has “offered his apologies to the Morningside High School football program and the larger school community.”
It also added “our administration and coaching staff believe that athletics should be a sense of pride for our community. While Friday’s game did not reflect our best judgment as administrators, the Morningside High School and Inglewood High School football players and their coaches have worked hard all season and deserve our respect.”
When reached for comment about the game Saturday, Morningside coach Brian Collins called the result “classless.”
Inglewood Unified School District issued a statement Saturday saying “we will conduct a full investigation and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that a similar outcome never happens again under and IUSD athletic program.”
When reached Monday regarding the investigation, IUSD county administrator Erika Torres said “our investigation is ongoing.”
The CIF-Southern Section office released a statement, condemning the result: “The CIF Southern Section expects that all athletic contests are to be conducted under the strictest code of good sportsmanship. We expect coaches, players, officials, administrators and students to adhere to the Six Pillars of Character – Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. A score of 106-0 does not represent these ideals. … It is our expectation that the Inglewood administration will work towards putting in place an action plan so that an event such as this does not repeat itself.”
Inglewood begins play in the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 playoffs Friday on the road against St. Bonaventure.
Tate’s letter ended saying: “Our administration will work with our coaches to ensure that these mistakes are not repeated in the future and that the Inglewood High School program conducts itself with the highest level of sportsmanship and integrity going forward. We are one district and one community. I will work hard to ensure that we do better and that the contributions of all student scholars are honored and celebrated.”
Respect!!! @breezepreps @Amandtastic @abc7ashley @CIFSS @eyeonInglewood @Inglewood_Today Word Up pic.twitter.com/yntbavWzVW
— INGLEWOOD HIGH SPORTS (@InglewoodSports) November 2, 2021