Last Friday’s football game between Geneva School of Boerne and Holy Cross was stopped while game officials investigated whether the Knights were using an illegal communications device located in one of the helmets.
Game officials were made aware of the incident, and the contest was stopped for about 15 minutes while they looked into the situation.
TAPPS rule 23.1-4-11.b states, “Coach to player communication in any form is prohibited for TAPPS member school teams.”
Video of the incident appears to show one of the players removing the device through the ear hole of his helmet and handing it over to one of the coaches after being confronted by game officials.
The incident happened with about a minute left until halftime when Geneva hosted Holy Cross on Oct. 3 in a district contest. No penalty or ejection occurred at that time, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any repercussions for the Knights going forward.
According to article VII of the TAPPS by-laws, the penalty for a violation such as this can include a team facing forfeiture of games, removal from the playoffs, public reprimand, probation for the coach and school and the coach being suspended for five games in the case of football.
When reached for comment, TAPPS Executive Director Bryan Bunselmeyer said they were investigating the incident.
“TAPPS is reviewing the matter in question, and any actions taken by the executive board will be posted on the TAPPS website once final,” he said.
That action could come as soon as Monday when TAPPS is reportedly holding an executive meeting about the incident.
Geneva football coach Bob Rosenstiel said he’s not sure what the fallout will be but just wishes the whole thing never occurred.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that I wish would have never happened,” he said.
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