Prep coach suspended over gaudy score

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The head football coach at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville has been suspended after officials say he ran up the score in a 75-7 win over Southern Lee.

The Fayetteville Observer reports that coach Russell Stone was suspended by the Cumberland County school system. Stone won't be on the sidelines for the final regular season game Friday night.

Stone's team beat Southern Lee last week. He says the main reason for his suspension was that his team kept passing despite being up 55-0 at halftime. Only one pass went for a touchdown.

Stone says it was Senior Night, and he wanted all of his senior receivers to catch passes.

Cumberland County schools student activities director Leon Mack declined to comment, saying the suspension is a personnel matter.