Cedar Rapids Washington football coach Tony Lombardi has been suspended by the Cedar Rapids school district and will not coach the Warriors this Friday night when they face Dubuque Wahlert at the Rock Bowl in Dubuque.

The suspension stems from a situation that occurred last Thursday night during Washington's game against Cedar Rapids Prairie at Kingston Stadium.

"I made a mistake, I'm going to own it and take responsibility and hope to move on," Lombardi told the Metro Sports Report Wednesday night.

The incident involved Lombardi and one of Prairie's players. Lombardi declined to identify the player, but several sources said it involved Prairie junior Kentrel Smith.

Lombardi confirmed something happened during the game. When the game ended, Lombardi said he asked Prairie Coach Mike Morrissey if he could talk to the player. Lombardi said Morrissey agreed, but Lombardi said his brief remarks to the player were not well-received.

"It was inappropriate for me to even talk to him," said Lombardi. "I feel bad about it. Honestly, it seemed like a good idea."

Lombardi said he did not curse or swear at the player, either during or after the game. "There was no swearing, no nothing," he said.

Lombardi said he does not know how the incident came to the school district's attention.

Lombardi said he thought the player would benefit from what he had to say, but in retrospect wishes he didn't do it.

"I don't know the kid. I don't even know who the kid is," Lombardi said. "I was trying to be helpful. I don't know why. I've never spoken to a kid from another team in my life."

Smith scored two touchdowns against Washington in Prairie's 44-6 victory, one on a 95-yard touchpass pass and another with a 62-yard interception return.

Washington will finish its season against Dubuque Wahlert Friday night. The Warriors have a 2-6 record and will not qualify for the playoffs even if they win the game.

Lombardi said assistant coach Maurice "Mo" Blue will be the acting head coach Friday night.

Lombardi said he was informed of the suspension Wednesday in a meeting with school district officials. He said it's a one-game suspension and he plans to coach the Warriors again next season.

A statement on Lombardi's behalf was issued by a Cedar Rapids Washington official to the media Wednesday night, prior to Lombardi's telephone interview with the Metro Sports Report.

"I've always held myself and my conduct as the Washington Warrior football coach to the highest professional standards," Lombardi declared in the statement. "Last Thursday, I attempted to address a situation that occurred with a member of the visiting team.

"I used judgment that regrettably was not up to my standards nor the standards of the Washington Warriors. I let my team, myself and my coaches down.

"The District and I agree that a suitable consequence for my actions would be to miss the game Friday night. Missing the final game of the season is an appropriate way of taking responsibility for my actions last week.

"I'm deeply saddened to miss the final game of the season. I am committed to maintaining a high level of standards as we move forward to 2013."

Washington High School Principal Ralph Plagman declined comment about the situation when contacted by the Metro Sports Report earlier this week. Marcia Hughes, a spokesperson for the school district, told the Metro Sports Report Wednesday morning that the school district would not comment on a personnel matter.

Prairie athletic director Rocky Bennett and Prairie football coach Mike Morrissey did not respond to inquiries from the Metro Sports Report about the incident.

This is the second time in less than a year that Lombardi has faced inquiries from the school district. The district investigated complaints against Lombardi during the 2011-12 school year. Those complaints were filed by parents of Washington students, claiming Lombardi had used inappropriate language and inappropriate conduct with their students.

The school district did not publicly reveal what action, if any, was taken against Lombardi as a result of those complaints. The Metro Sports Report was told by an attorney who was involved in the case that Lombardi was instructed to undergo "remedial" actions as a result of that previous case.

Lombardi said he had "good intentions" when he spoke to the Prairie player after the game last Thursday.

"Honestly, I feel bad," he said. "I have really good intentions relative to kids, especially kids I think I can help.

"I've got to be smarter. That's all I want to say. I don't think you should be talking to someone else's player.

"I'm embarrassed. I feel bad.

"I'm a teacher and a coach. I was wrong, and there should be a consequence. I don't think I should have talked to that kid."

Lombardi said he will coach his team in practice on Thursday, but will not make the trip to Dubuque on Friday. Lombardi normally has a special on-field ceremony with his seniors after their final game, but that won't happen this time.

He said he informed his players of the suspension Wednesday and apologized to them.

"I feel badly for my seniors. We're very close," he said. "I screwed up.

"Stupid. Stupid on my part," he said. "It wasn't received positively. It was just dumb."