Parents are outraged in the wake of a brawl between fans and players at a high school football game in Plainfield on Friday night.
After Plainfield High School won 21-17 on their home field against New London, 18-year-old Zachary Coons and 19-year-old Teaque Carignan began taunting New London players who were leaving the field, according to Plainfield Police Chief Michael Surprenant.
"The kids were upset, screaming," said Jennifer Carrion, whose son is a 15-year-old sophomore. "They were screaming such ugly things at us. They were filled with emotion. Some were crying."
Coons and Carignan were arrested and charged with breach of peace. Police say they and two others sparked a fight that turned physical at the field.
"Everyone was on top of each other. There was a pile," Carrion explained. "Obviously, I was concerned for the safety of the children."
Plainfield High School Principal Tommy Thompson and players say the teens shouted racial slurs, and witnesses told police that punches were thrown.
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"It was extremely upsetting for the kids," Thompson said. "Our kids have experienced racism, but this was right in your face. It was disappointing."
Police are investigating the claims and said no one was injured during the skirmish, but Michele Lucas said Tuesday night her 17-year-old son was "jumped by more than one person."
"I am outraged, first of all," Lucas said. "I don't condone racism, and I don't condone adults hitting a child."
Both arrested teens have been banned from any future event on school grounds.
Surprenant said the incident involved a "small percentage of individuals that ruined a good hard-fought game between two teams."
A freshman-sophomore game scheduled for Monday between Plainfield and New London was canceled following Friday's events and may be rescheduled.
Police have not released information on what triggered the fight or what specifically was said.
The Plainfield Police Department is working with Plainfield school administrators, New London school officials and New London's school resource officer to investigate.
"I think a message needs to be sent," Carrion said. "This is not acceptable. It's not tolerable."
A couple officers are typically assigned to Plainfield sporting events and roam the area for safety purposes and direct traffic after the game, according to Surprenant.
Police are evaluating how the incident may affect their future protocol at games.
