Two New Jersey high school football teams banned from postseason following fight

A fight following a touchdown during a New Jersey high school football game between Buena and Lindenwold on Oct. 9 has led to both teams being banned from the postseason.

The fight occurred during Buena’s 17-8 win over Lindenwold. According to a report from NJ.com, players were shoving each other in the end zone after a touchdown, quickly spilling over to multiple players from each sideline coming onto the field.

In total, 24 players were ejected — 15 from Buena and nine from Lindenwold. Those players have been suspended for each team’s respective games this week.

The postseason disqualification comes from a preexisting NJSIAA rule. That rule states that teams having three or more player or coach ejections for any flagrant or unsportsmanlike conduct before a postseason tournament are disqualified from the postseason.

According to NJ.com’s report, the status of Lindenwold’s upcoming game against Middle Township is also up in the air. If they were to have to forfeit, it would be the second time this month they would have had to forfeit a game. The previous forfeit came on Oct. 2 due to a lack of players heading into the West Windsor-Plainsboro (NJ) game.

Currently, the Lions are 2-4 on the year.

Buena’s game on the road at Pitman (NJ) on Oct. 16 is still scheduled to be played. The Chiefs are 3-4 on the year.

Buena and Lindenwold add to a growing list of teams that have been banned from postseason play following fights. Last week, the Florida High School Athletic Association announced that Deltona (FL) and Matanzas (FL) were each banned from the postseason following a fight that occurred during the handshake line after their game on Oct. 1.

Miami Carol City (FL) received a similar ban and was also placed on restrictive probation following a brawl that occurred after a loss to Grayson (GA).

Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Two New Jersey high school football teams banned from postseason following fight