Mainland O-lineman to miss Nease football game after FHSAA denies suspension appeal

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Mainland offensive lineman Chevin Davis’ suspension appeal was denied by the Florida High School Athletic Association on Sept. 2, head coach Jerrime Bell confirmed in a text message to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

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Davis was ejected from the Buccaneers’ opener against Carol City on Aug. 21 when Chiefs defensive tackle Michael Williams Jr. suplexed Mainland quarterback PJ Miller well after the ball had left his hands for a third-quarter incompletion. Davis came to Miller’s aid and bumped Williams to the ground. He did so a second time when he saw Miller still down a few seconds later.

According to Bell, he was told on the field Davis was ejected for shoving Williams to the ground and standing over him. That was changed to “an open-hand slap or blow” in the official report, per Bell.

Section 30.2.1.1 of the FHSAA handbook states an ejected athlete is ineligible to compete for the remainder of that contest and a minimum of the next game. It can be appealed, as the Bucs did in Davis' case, and the FHSAA can reverse, modify or uphold the suspension.

"I fully respect the decision of the state and will cooperate. However, I’m sad that such a good kid has to sit out a game for protecting his QB. The video matches what was told to us on the sidelines the night of the incident, which was a chest bump and him standing over a player. The video clearly shows there was never an open hand slap to the head of an opponent," Bell said. "I respect our ref association and their dedication to their crafts and their final judgement on the matter, but what was written down doesn’t match what is clearly visible on film.

"We will move forward with whoever is available to suit up for us on Friday, and hope that we aren’t in any similar situations moving forward. And I look forward to having a healthy, cordial conversation with our officials about the incident so we can close this matter out and completely move forward in a positive manner."

The FHSAA has not responded to an email from the News-Journal at the time of publication.

Bell said Mainland athletic director Terry Anthony began the appeal process with video evidence disputing the report. An FHSAA committee meets to discuss it, and a decision is made from there. Wednesday’s FHSAA meeting on the matter ruled against the Bucs.

Davis, Williams and two others were ejected on the play. Davis will now miss the Bucs’ Sept. 4 contest at Nease, a top-40 program in MaxPreps' Florida rankings.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Mainland O-lineman to miss Nease football game after FHSAA denies suspension appeal

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