Philadelphia’s Public League Football Teams Having Trouble With On-Field Brawls

October 15, 2012 / Football
Philadelphia Daily News, Ted Silary

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/high_school/pennsylvania/20121015_Overbrook__Bartram_hit_with_forfeits_after_brawl.html

PUBLIC LEAGUE football has experienced the worst kind of replay – a game-ending brawl.

Messy incident No. 1 occurred Oct. 5, when visiting Southern’s 32-8 Public League Class AAAA Silver win over Olney Charter was halted with 7:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Take Two took place Saturday at Gratz’ Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium, as Overbrook met John Bartram in a AAA game. This disturbing blowup happened with 2:05 left in the third quarter and referee Tom McClain, following Bill Hall’s lead at Olney, sent everyone home. Overbrook received credit for a 22-0 victory.

As seen in a YouTube video, the problem began when three Overbrook defenders tried to sack Bartram’s quarterback, and one attempted a body slam. A Bartram player leaned in to help guide the QB to the turf, verbal exchanges ensued and they were followed by physical contact.

Amauro Austin, a Daily News statistician, said he witnessed an injured Overbrook player hobble off the sideline and swat some Braves with a cane. (The video, as shot by Greg Harris, of whistletoppssportsnetwork.com, cuts off right after the final play.) Overbrook coach Rendell Ivory confirmed that account.

As for fallout . . .

Robert Coleman, the director of PL sports, said Sunday that players from both schools left the sidelines in large numbers and that each team is forfeiting its upcoming game – M.L. King for Overbrook; Murrell Dobbins Tech for Bartram.

“I had a conference call with the principals and I talked to both athletic directors; I was lucky the ADs were at the game,” Coleman said. “They agree. Both schools need to share this one.”

Only Olney was hit with a forfeit last week (to Lincoln) after it was determined Southern’s players had acted properly, given the circumstances.

Overbrook drops to 4-4, and remains in the running for one of four playoff spots in the 10-team division. Bartram (1-7) is out of contention. Bartram was playing for the first time under coach Jim Chapman, who had been sharing duties with Mark Effendian (who had been officially listed as the coach but is no longer on staff).

“I’m very [angry] about this,” Coleman said. “We’re having good weather, good coaching, most of the kids are trying hard and doing the right thing . . . and we have to put up with this?! It doesn’t make sense.

“If one of these teams causes problems for a second time, I’m going to work on getting them kicked out of the league for next season. They’ll be outta here.”


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