High School Football Team Suspended After Winning Rivalry Game — Then Their Mascot Crossed the Line

Victor Valley High School defeated local rivals Apple Valley 20-7 on Friday in the 56th edition of the annual Bell Game.

The victory gave Victor Valley bragging rights and allowed the school to retain the rivalry trophy, but what followed the win has now resulted in major disciplinary action.

Victor Valley Union High School District announced that the varsity football team and coaching staff would be suspended for a week, while the team will also forfeit its upcoming game against Brea Olinda.

Mascot caught making obscene gesture

The most bizarre element of the controversy involves Victor Valley's jackrabbit mascot.

Footage circulating on social media appears to show the mascot walking along the track on Apple Valley's side of the stadium before making a middle-finger gesture towards the opposing supporters.

The incident was part of a wider series of actions that the school district described as unsportsmanlike.

In a joint statement, Superintendent Carl Coles and Victor Valley Principal Darius Robinson said there was a distinction between passionate competition and unacceptable behaviour — and that the line had been crossed during the Bell Game.

The district said members of the football team had behaved in an unsportsmanlike manner towards Apple Valley's team and supporters, including offensive gestures and language.

Players also involved in postgame celebrations

The controversy did not end with the mascot.

After the final whistle, Victor Valley players ran onto the field and appeared to taunt the opposing supporters before coaches intervened and brought them back towards their own sideline.

Footage from the celebrations does not clearly establish everything that was said, but images from the aftermath also showed some players making offensive gestures while celebrating with the rivalry trophy.

The district did not identify individual players or specify exactly which actions resulted in the punishment.

However, the decision to suspend the entire varsity team and coaching staff demonstrates how seriously the school viewed the incident.

A rivalry with plenty of history

There was plenty of emotion behind Victor Valley's victory.

Apple Valley had dominated the rivalry in recent years, winning 12 consecutive meetings before Victor Valley finally snapped that run.

The two schools also met in the Southern Section Division 7 playoffs, where Apple Valley ended Victor Valley's season with a 28-20 quarter-final victory.

That made Friday's 20-7 win particularly significant for the Jackrabbits.

They not only defeated their local rivals but also retained possession of the Bell Game trophy for another year.

The celebrations, however, have now overshadowed the result.

Victor Valley apologises

The district issued an apology to members of the Apple Valley community, including its players, students, staff, coaches, parents and supporters.

The school also acknowledged its responsibility as the host.

“As the host school, we fell short of the standard of respect, sportsmanship, and hospitality that our neighboring community deserved,” the district said.

Officials added that they accepted responsibility and were committed to doing better.

Importantly, the punishment will not end the rivalry.

The annual Bell Game is expected to continue next year as scheduled.

Victor Valley now forfeits its next game

The immediate consequence is that Victor Valley will not be allowed to follow up its rivalry victory on the field.

The team has been suspended for a week and will forfeit its September 18 game against Brea Olinda.

That means a memorable 20-7 victory has been followed almost immediately by a significant setback.

For Victor Valley, the Bell Game will undoubtedly be remembered for retaining the trophy and ending another chapter of the rivalry — but the controversial celebrations have now become the bigger story.

The lesson from the school district is clear: rivalry passion may be part of high school football, but officials believe Victor Valley's celebrations went beyond acceptable sportsmanship.