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How the TikTok trend rocked Comeaux, North Vermilion

How the TikTok trend rocked Comeaux, North Vermilion

Has sportsmanship in college sports taken a back seat to the trend? In this generation, trends have quickly taken over our everyday lives, and the ability to go viral in a social media world, while entertaining, sometimes has greater consequence than reward.

That was the case for two Lafayette Parish high school football teams.

Last week, a viral TikTok trend jumped from our screens into real life at North Vermilion Football’s home game against Comeaux on October 11th. It is alleged that the “Belt to Ass” or BTA trend sparked a post-match altercation between the two teams, leading to uproar and the consequences.

The saying “Belt To Ass” used to be a saying after one team had dominated the other to such an extent that it felt like a blow. But now the players are actually doing all the work. The trend occurs when a player from the winning team uses a belt or towel and whips the opposing team when shaking hands after the game to show that they have “whipped” their opponents.

The postgame altercation between North Vermilion and Comeaux — which reportedly began because of the TikTok trend — and others that occurred because of that trend have led the LHSAA to reaffirm its commitment to sportsmanship.

“The LHSAA remains committed to its fair and consistent approach to handling cases of misconduct,” the LHSAA said in an Oct. 16 news release. “…In recent communications, certain trends have been addressed, such as: B. Social media activity that may contribute to post-game arguments. We equip coaches with the knowledge to anticipate and mitigate these situations.”

Required reading: “Checked this box”: Northwest football defeats district rival Church Point

Required reading: Comeaux and North Vermilion lost Week 7 football games after a post-game brawl

The outcome of the postgame altercation resulted in both teams losing their Week 7 matchups. The Spartans canceled a key game against powerhouse St. Thomas More — a program that fills stadiums even on the road. North Vermilion’s loss to Teurlings Catholic canceled the Rebels’ home game in 2024.

In addition, some of the Comeaux athletes involved in the altercation received a two-day suspension from school.

With all the consequences for both teams and their opponents, one can only wonder whether it was even worth continuing this trend? Skipping games, missing school, and losing revenue from football games for schools all outweigh the possible laughs from rubbing salt in the wound of an already losing team.

No one has ever liked whooping cough, metaphorically or literally. Exercising such a trend during team handshakes, which is precisely the time to show sportsmanship, takes away the thought of acknowledging and respecting the opponent.

This won’t be the last time the BTA trend repeats itself in real life, but it will probably be the last time you see it in the 337. High school football teams across the region spend months preparing for football season. And allowing trend feelings and heightened emotions to take over can make or break certain teams’ post-game expectations.

Actions are important and reactions are also important. In a contact sport like football, it doesn’t matter who came first. Both the actor and the reactor are punished.

“I wish things were consistent across the board,” Comeaux football head coach Marquis Newsome said. “It seems like society has an idea of ​​who they think is wrong, and they are already wrong, even without watching the film. We were wrong in the way we responded. But if someone doesn’t respect you, you have to let them know that you’re not being respected.”

The Spartans and Patriots are looking to salvage the remainder of the 2024 season and put the Week 6 debacle behind them. Coaches across the state will be watching their postgame handshake lines like hawks. Any inkling of the BTA trend is erased because the double clicks and views are nowhere near worth the chance to be on the field, and for some schools, the chance to win a title.

“Our number one goal is to continue our season and make sure our seniors are able to finish their season the right way,” North Vermilion football head coach Roy Mod said. “We used to always tell our kids that they were only guaranteed 10 games, and that was kind of our motivation to get to the playoffs, but we didn’t get all 10 of them. So you know our kids are obviously disappointed.”

Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Do you have questions about HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at [email protected].