AMANDA - Amanda-Clearcreek's athletic program was placed on probation after football coach Ron Hinton loudly complained about officiating in the Division V state championship game.

Hinton was angry over several calls in the Aces' 13-8 loss to Gahanna Columbus Academy on Nov. 28. He once ran onto the field and fell to his knees when a penalty took away a touchdown.

He kicked his cap as Ohio High School Athletic Association officials presented trophies after the game.

The OHSAA, which regulates high school sports in Ohio, would not comment Friday and deferred questions about the punishment to the school district.

Amanda Superintendent J.B. Dick said the association put the district on probation for a year for all sports and reprimanded Hinton. The probation was imposed last month.

He said the district has not been told what will happen if the association determines the probation has been violated. The district's teams will maintain their eligibility for state tournaments.

Dick said he has talked to Hinton, the coach the past 23 years, about keeping his feelings in check.

''Ron's an emotional guy,'' Dick said. ''I don't expect him to become a different person because of what happened.''

The fact that the players remained calm and did not complain during the game shows ''our sportsmanship has always been a valued thing at Amanda and always will be,'' Dick said.

''He's going to fight for his kids,'' Dick said. ''I contend that's what he was doing that day.''

Dick said Hinton would not comment on the association's decision.

After the game, Hinton said, ''We made the plays. I was always told that at this level, officials never make a determination of a football game. And this morning they decided this game.''

About 1,000 people live in this rural village about 30 miles southeast of Columbus.