The Cromwell-Portland Panthers took on the Granby Bears Friday night in the high school football team's first scrimmage since a 16-year-old player was arrested on hazing charges.
"You never know when it's going to happen: college, high school, you never know," said Granby parent Mario Tirillo.
This week, Cromwell police charged a 16-year-old Panther with hazing, accusing the student of hitting four freshmen teammates with a belt in the locker room at Cromwell High School.
Investigators said the alleged hazing, which happened last week before practice, was so severe it left welts on the students' bodies.
"You think about your child and what happens behind closed doors," said football parent Miriam Ray.
A district source close to the investigation said after the allegations came out, football coach Chris Eckert was placed on paid administrative leave. NBC Connecticut has not been able to reach Eckert for comment.
Friday night’s game was the first for the Cromwell-Portland Panthers following the uproar.
Local
Some Panther parents at the scrimmage said the hazing was over and wouldn't happen again. Others called the incident eye opening.
"Being a parent of a football player, it is something that concerns me," said Ray.
Granby parents said they're making sure to have conversations with their children.
"If they ever see anything like that, they should let me know about it," said Tirillo. "If it's happening to them, they should definitely let me know about it."
The arrested student faces up to a $1,000 fine. Police said their investigation is complete unless someone else comes forward.
Granby Memorial won Friday night’s scrimmage, 49-8.
