Friday should be an exciting night of high school football but instead, in Montgomery County, there is a dark cloud hovering. And starting Friday, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will implement several enhanced security measures at athletic events.
It was a massive brawl at Gaithersburg High School during a varsity football game a week ago that prompted these safety changes. The school system calls what happened unacceptable and abhorrent behavior.
So starting Friday at all high school sporting events, district-wide, students of the participating schools will be allowed to attend only with a valid ticket and with their student ID or Synergy verification of their schedule. All other school-aged spectators must be accompanied by an adult chaperone —this includes all elementary and middle school students and high school students from other schools.
Adult chaperones must stay and supervise students for the duration of their stay at the game. Spectators are asked to be patient at the gate, as admission may take additional time. Students and spectators must sit in the stands during the game. While there will be potential gatherings at halftime and postgame, large gatherings will not be allowed during the game. There will be no re-entry and spectators will not be admitted after halftime.
Backpacks will not be allowed.
Only student-athletes, coaches, game officials, athletic department staff, credentialed personnel, and media are permitted on the sidelines. Event security personnel will use separate entrances, staggered exits, and additional support in high-traffic areas. Inappropriate and unruly behavior may result in suspension from subsequent MCPS athletic activities.
These changes will be in effect for all high school athletic events for the remainder of the season. Should other incidents occur, other tiered security interventions will be implemented. These could include spectator capacity limitations and game time/date adjustments.
During a news conference this week, school officials did not discuss what led to the brawl or if anyone disciplinary action or new charges have been filed.
MCPS Director of systemwide Athletics Jeffry Sullivan did say that both teams involved received a forfeit.
“A double forfeiture of the game for both schools, as well as the student-athletes from both teams, were disqualified as part of that on-field event," Sullivan said.
Gaithersburg police say five people were arrested and charged, four juveniles and one adult. The football programs at both schools have been suspended and multiple games forfeited.
A reminder that 7News will be On Your Sideline again Friday night with more coverage than anyone in the DMV. Watch the highlights on 7News at 11, and check out all the sights, sounds and scores on wjla.com.