Bill Vilona

bvilona@pnj.com

Given all the circumstances, the saga with Escambia High's football program was never going to end well.

Instead, it's going to end worse.

That much is clear. In case it wasn't clear, what transpired Tuesday night at a "Community Support Rally" on the lawn fronting Myrtle Grove Methodist Church, ensured this has gotten real ugly real fast.

"If you believe in these young men, please call the district (Escambia County School District)," said suspended Escambia High coach Willie Spears. "Don't mention my name. Talk about the kids."

OK, we start there.

The kids are six Escambia High football players whose eligibility is in question after transferring into the school this year. Spears was suspended Tuesday for his role in the transfer, but told the crowd, "They can't fire me, I'm under contract." He then said he was being paid $50,000 to sit at home.

Now, this was after Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas told him not to have contact with any players or students until the investigation was complete.

Spears had plenty of contact Tuesday night. Hugs and handshakes with hundreds of people, including the football team and supportive students.

Not sure what the next step will be, but here's guessing it won't be amicable.

It's sad, of course, the situation exists. A lot of people are going to be affected and hurt, including a school, its supporters and an entire high school football team. The Escambia County School District didn't want this to happen. Escambia High principal Mike Sherrill, who hired Spears, didn't want it this way.

Do you think they enjoy this? Of course not.

But before everyone points fingers, trust that administrators didn't make this decision on assumption. In a state where you really have to try hard to violate a completely lax transfer policy, this is what they believe Spears has done.

Yes, student athletes transfer in all prep sports in all parts of Florida all the time. That's a whole other issue.

Our area is no different than any other part of Florida. It's a complete mess.

The issue is that Spears or one of the coaches is being suspected of improper contact, a nice way of saying recruiting. Hard recruiting, too.

Spears says no one did anything wrong. He will put his hand on a Bible and say it, which is essentially what he did Tuesday night at Myrtle Grove Methodist.

For sure, Spears has done a lot of good things at Escambia. He claimed area media never showcased any of it. He must have forgotten about the national signing day last February where he put on a show, complete with a decorated gym and the support of the very school administration he decries.

But of the 16 players he announced were heading for collegiate futures, none of those 16 are listed on season-opening rosters where they supposedly signed. That follows the eight signees from 2013 who also are not on collegiate rosters.

With Spears, there's a good and bad. The gray area is what's true.