Charlotte may be in Mecklenburg County but the NFL is light years away from high school football. (Getty Images)

Reminder to North Carolina high school football players thinking about busting out a Cam Newton-inspired "Superman" celebration the next time they find the end zone: Don't do it.

West Mecklenburg quarterback Jalan McClendon found out the hard way. He was ejected from a playoff game Friday after he did his version of "Superman" following a score. Turns out, players can be disqualified for unsportsmanlike acts of which this qualified. But it could've been much worse for McClendon.

N.C. High School Athletic Association supervisor of officials Mark Dreibelbis told the Charlotte Observer that had McClendon been tossed for taunting it would've triggered a two-game suspension. Because he was flagged for an unsportsmanlike act, however, it means that he can play next week.

The distinction was welcome news to West Mecklenburg coach Jeff Caldwell.

“It’s a good learning experience for him,” Caldwell said via the Observer. “With him being in the position he’s in, he should know better. He’s a young kid. My kids have never been in a situation like this before. (West Mecklenburg upset Hough 45-10 for the school's first playoff win since 1989.) I’m just happy for Jalan and that it came out all right.

“I’m glad he wasn’t severely punished for something where he was just having fun. He’s not the taunting type. At Tennessee (team camp) this summer, they were always asking ‘Why don’t you get excited?’”

McClendon, a 6-foot-4, 194-pound junior, has scholarship offers from UNC, Duke and Wake Forest, Caldwell told the Observer. He has thrown for 1,235 yards this season, including nine touchdowns, and hopefully just one ill-fated homage to Cam Newton.

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