Southbridge Pop Warner Official Defends Team (Video)

Ken O’Brien

Rob Philion

Rob Philion, Vice-President of Southbridge Pop Warner, appeared on New England Cable News Network defending the actions of the Southbridge team and its coaches in a recent controversy.

The issue stems from a game played last month between the Pop Warner teams from Southbridge and Sturbridge.

During that game five Sturbridge players were diagnosed with concussions. The game resulted in the suspension of coaches Erik Iller and Scott Lazo, probation for the two local league Presidents (Iller’s wife and Lazo’s brother), and the termination and permanent ban against the three individuals officiating the game.

Coaches Speak Out On Pop Warner Incident (Video)

Ken O’Brien

Erik Iller

Southbridge and Tantasqua Pop Warner Coaches Scott Lazo and Erik Iller were interviewed today by WBZ TV in Boston (below).

Lazo was also interviewed by WFXT TV and  WHDH TV, but Iller declined to be interviewed by either.

They were speaking about an incident where the two teams played a game that resulted in five of the 10 to 12 year old players suffering concussions.

Southbridge, Tantasqua Pop Warner Coaches Suspended

Ken O’Brien

UPDATE: Fox News 25 Boston interviewed Southbridge Pop Warner coach Scott Lazo today. It is expected that the interview will air on the regularly scheduled newscast tonight at 6 pm and again at 10:30 pm (latter delayed from its normal 10 pm time due to Presidential debate).

The Boston Globe and The Worcester Telegram are reporting that coaches of the Tantasqua Pee Wees and the Southbridge Pop Warner team have been suspended for the 2012 season and put on probation for the 2013 season after a game that resulted in five of the 10 to 12 year old players suffering concussions.