Maryland High School Enacts New Security Plan After Brawl at Football Game

The Montgomery County (Md.) School District is looking to implement new security measures after a brawl erupted at a recent varsity football game. 

According to the local Fox affiliate, at least one coach involved in the fight between Gaithersburg and Northwest High School football teams may face assault charges. 

Fox reported that William C. Gant filed an assault charge against Travis Hawkins on Monday. Gant is listed online as the Gaithersburg High School athletic director and Hawkins is listed as Northwest High School’s head coach. 

On Wednesday, superintendent Monifa McKnight announced a revised MCPS Athletics Safety Plan. 

According to the local ABC affiliate will require that all school-age students that are not a part of the two participating schools in an athletic game must attend the game with a chaperone.

The revised plan includes successive tiers that will be enacted should the students and fans no abide by the first tier. 

Tier 1 will be implemented starting Friday and requires the following: 

• Students and spectators must sit in the stands to minimize those "gatherings" during games.
• The school system enhanced its no-entry policy; spectators will not be allowed into a game after the second half.
• Backpacks are no longer allowed during athletic events
• Enhanced protocol regarding sidelines

If Tier 1 doesn't work the plan moves to Tier 2, which includes the possibility of limiting participation to students in the participating schools. For teams that participate in activities such as the fight or brawls, the school system will impose serious consequences. Game times could also be impacted.

Tier 3 would only be enacted under extreme circumstances and includes the possibility of closing concession stands, and only allowing parents of participants to attend games, etc.