Police Review Tapes of Youth Football Game Brawl

Sept. 25 -- Police in Port Orange, Fla., are going over videotapes to sort out who was behind a big brawl involving parents, players, coaches and fans after a youth football game Saturday.

More than 100 people clashed in the melee shortly after the home team, the Port Orange Hawks, scored a touchdown in overtime, beating the West Orange Wildcats 12-6, police said. As the winners left the field, members of the Wildcats followed, said police Cmdr. Michael Sheridan.

“There were some words exchanged and a fight broke out between the coaches and players of both teams,” Sheridan said. “When thefight started, spectators from both sides started towards the fight, adding to the confusion and chaos.”  

It was only moments after the end of the game when the 911 calls, made from cellular phones, started coming in about the brawl at the field.

“When the officers responded they saw between 100 and 130 people on the field. They immediately went to the center and found a young boy on the ground, one of the football players, and he alleged had been pushed and kicked and shoved by an opposing player,” Sheridan said.

One player was punched and kicked and another was bitten, though most of the injuries were minor and treated at the scene.

Popular Reads

Iran live updates: Trump cancels Witkoff, Kushner trip to Islamabad for peace talks

• Apr 25, 12:29 PM

Rob Reiner's son Jake Reiner speaks out in heartbreaking statement

• Apr 24, 10:10 AM

Trump says US Navy attacked and seized Iranian-flagged cargo ship

• Apr 19, 10:21 PM

Caught on Videotape

The scene was caught on videotape, and police were reviewing the tapes today to determine who started Saturday’s melee between the teams of 14- and 15-year-olds from Port Orange, south of Daytona Beach, and Winter Springs, near Orlando.

A 31-year-old mother from Orlando was charged with resisting arrest and a 15-year-old player was accused of battery on a law enforcement officer for allegedly throwing a traffic cone at an officer and punching him in the side of the face. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Authorities in Port Orange say more charges may result after they view the home videotapes.  

“We were totally jumped by surprise,” said Port Orange coach Kenneth Klindt. “They were the instigators, and it’s on film.”