LAKE COUNTY, Fla.,None — A Lake County high school place kicker is accused of playing in a game drunk.
The accusation stems from a parent's complaint.
On Friday, Alex Maciel admitted to WFTV reporter Berndt Petersen that he drank during a family gathering, prior to the Eustis game on September 16. He said that he deserved the punishment he received.
However, he's not the only one who could get in trouble. Some coaches could be in hot water too.
District administrators are trying to find out whether Maciel was drunk and whether any of his coaches knew it.
As for Alex, he will not play in Friday night's game at Eustis High School.
The Panthers will have to take the football field without one of their top place kickers.
"So was the student drunk or not?" WFTV reporter Berndt Petersen asked.
"Unfortunately, I can't talk about that. It is confidential student record," said Chris Patton, Lake County Schools.
Patton said an anonymous email accused coaches and staff at the school of putting a drunken athlete into a recent game.
Angelica Nevarez is Maciel's' mother and she told WFTV that her son was at a family gathering at home before the September 16 game. She said he drank two or three beers before heading over to the field to play.
Nevarez said she did not see her son drunk, but added he's sorry about what happened because he likes football.
The school system won't confirm the student's name or his punishment. The district is investigating five of its employees. They won't give any names but said at least four of them are involved with the football team.
"Which is worse? What the student may have done, or what the coaches may have done?" Petersen asked.
"Obviously, they're both not good in either regard," Patton said.
His mother said that on Monday, he was suspended for 10 days.
WFTV
