Washington incident: County decides to cancel game; police determine cause of disturbance
BRIAN ACHATZ, Pensacola News Journal Published 3:16 p.m. CT Aug. 25, 2019
Pine Forest will not have to forfeit its game to Washington after leaving the field Friday night due to a disturbance in the stands, Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said.
School officials from Pine Forest and Washington had the option to reschedule the game, which was tied 0-0 in the third quarter at Washington, but elected not to.
“It can be difficult trying to fit another game into a season,” Thomas said. “Not to mention, the expenses to hire referees and law enforcement for an additional night….the principals and athletic directors (from Pine Forest and Washington) said let’s leave things here and move on.”
According to a spokesperson for the Pensacola Police Department, an officer working security at the game was alerted that a physical altercation was brewing behind the stadium. The officer went to investigate and found a large group of teenagers gathered, but the group dispersed and ran away as the officer approached.
Someone in the crowd claimed someone in the group had a handgun, causing a panic in the crowd. Officers did not see or locate a weapon, and the members of the group were not identified.
The initial group that ran kick-started the disturbance on the south side of Washington’s stadium which eventually caused hundreds to run away from the section.
Across the field, visiting fans and the Pine Forest band began to rush out of the seating area.
The game was scoreless at the time of the incident.
Pine Forest players and the game’s referees ran off the field, and the white hat referee ruled a 1-0 victory for Washington, saying Pine Forest was disqualified for leaving the field.
https://www.pnj.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2019/08/25/washington-incident-what-caused-disturbance-football-game/2115974001/?utm_source=Main+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=d9bf91f3c8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_01_18_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_4eada278ac-d9bf91f3c8-295136453