Joe Curley

joe.curley@vcstar.com, 805-437-0276

A visiting football player was arrested Saturday night in Ventura, accused of punching an official during a community college football game in Ventura.

Ventura College football’s 34-29 win over visiting Mount San Antonio College was delayed for several minutes in the middle of the third quarter after a side judge was struck on the field.

The official, whose name was not released, was hit while walking Mt. SAC offensive lineman Bernard Schirmer back to his huddle after breaking up a verbal disagreement between opposing players.

Schirmer, who was accused of the assault, was immediately ejected from the game and, after a review of the game broadcast, was arrested on suspicion of battery of a game official and taken to Ventura County jail, according to Sgt. Mike Pallotto of the Ventura College Police Department.

“I was on the bench talking and I heard everyone going crazy so I jumped up and saw him on the ground,” Ventura College quarterback Jake Luton said of the official. “That’s terrible. There’s no place for that in football.”

Trainers from both teams immediately raced onto the field to tend to the injured official. He was replaced by a spotter and did not return to the game.

“I shook his hand when he was coming off and I asked him if he was OK,” Ventura College head coach Steve Mooshagian said. “He looked like he was a little drowsy.”

School administrators from both schools met with officials on the field. Under California Community College Athletic Association bylaws, striking a game official is punishable by a five-year ban.

Other members of the officiating crew gave statements to Pallotto after the game.

The head official of the refereeing crew declined comment.