x
Breaking News
More () »

High school athletic director, 2 coaches out after MCPS football fight

Officials confirmed the Gaithersburg High School Athletic Specialist position is vacated, as well as the Northwest High School head and assistant coach positions.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — A Montgomery County high school athletic specialist and two football coaches are out following a large fight between two schools during a game in September.

According to a release from Montgomery County Public Schools, the sports positions have been vacated since the fight on Sept. 16. 

The fight reportedly broke out on the field among players between Gaithersburg and Northwestern high schools, resulting in the game being called. The school board showed one minute and 15 seconds left on the clock in the third quarter when the game concluded. 

As spectators were leaving off the field, another altercation erupted among police and spectators, which led to four juveniles and a 19-year-old facing charges. Three people, including a police officer and a school staff, were assaulted with injuries that were considered non-life threatening. Police dispersed the crowd and one person who was found with a knife was taken into custody.

Both teams also forfeited their follow-up games that were scheduled on Sept. 23.

In the release from MCPS, officials confirmed the Gaithersburg High School Athletic Specialist position is vacated, as well as the Northwest High School head and assistant coach positions 

As for the rest of the 2022-2023 season, the people temporarily acting in those positions will continue doing so until the end of the season. Administrators plan to hire replacements later this year. 

"A school and, by extension, its athletics have an identity that is deeply and emotionally personal for their respective communities," said school officials. "These decisions will understandably be viewed differently but we must come together at this time to heal and prevent further division."

WATCH NEXT: VIDEO: Fight ends Gaithersburg High School football game

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) suspended football operations temporarily at Northwest and Gaithersburg high schools after a fight broke out on the field between players.

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out