CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Imitating Cam Newton's Superman celebration caused one Charlotte prep football player to be ejected from a state playoff game.

West Mecklenburg quarterback Jalan McClendon was kicked out last Friday's 45-10 win over Hough High in the first round of the state 4AA playoffs after pretending to rip open his jersey following a touchdown run like Newton, Carolina's ultra-popular second-year quarterback.

West Mecklenburg coach Jeff Caldwell said Wednesday that McClendon wasn't trying to taunt anyone. The coach doesn't see anything disrespectful about Newton's celebration, but the move was perceived as poor sportsmanship by the high school officials.

Newton said he felt bad for McClendon.

"I was like, 'Wow,' because where I'm from if you get kicked out, you sit out the next game," Newton said.

McClendon, a junior being recruited by several FBS schools, has been cleared to play in Friday's second-round game. State high school officials ruled he was disqualified for an unsportsmanlike act, not taunting, which just meant he had to sit out the remainder of the game.

Caldwell couldn't see the celebration from where he was standing, but said McClendon is a "solid kid."

"I don't think it's any different than when kids jump at each other," Caldwell said. "It's a hard call to make. Every year you have kids get caught up in the moment. It's up to us as coaches to keep reiterating what is allowed and what isn't."