A brawl between high school football teams will cost some players a shot at the D.C. Interscholastic Athletic Association football title.
DCPS chancellor Antwan Wilson suspended dozens of players for their roles in the fight, which was caught on video that you can view here.
In sum, 27 players were suspended as a result of the brawl. Of that number, 18 play for HD Woodson High School, which was set to defend its title in the annual Turkey Bowl game next week. The remaining 9 players, from Eastern Senior High School, will serve their suspensions next season.
One parent told TV Station WUSA9 that he believes the suspensions were unfair, claiming that they were the result of a combination of a chippy game that officials failed to get under control, as well as a bias against Woodson, which has won the previous four Turkey Bowl championships.
“They were provoking fights throughout the game — from late hits to penalties that should’ve been called,” the parent, who refused to be identified, told the station. He told WUSA9 that his son was not suspended, but plays for Woodson. He called the suspensions “a reflection of how much hate there is at Woodson winning five straight Turkey Bowls, because that’s never been done before.”
The Turkey Bowl is scheduled to go on as planned, and players have been given a chance to appeal their suspensions ahead of the game.
