Newark High School Football Teams Disqualified from State Playoffs After Massive Brawl
Two Newark high schools were eliminated from the state football playoffs after a weekend brawl involving players, supporters, and police. Weequahic and West Side High Schools were excluded from postseason play by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association after the Saturday incident at Untermann Field.
Late in the fourth quarter, a West Side player slammed a Weequahic player near midfield, starting the brawl. Multiple ejections occurred as players from both teams raced to the scene from their benches. Any varsity team with three or more unsportsmanlike behavior disqualifications loses postseason eligibility, per state regulations. Since both institutions exceeded that threshold, the prohibition was imposed Tuesday.
The gaming footage shows the fight escalate. Police intervened as fans stormed the field and fought in the stands. Fighting even broke out on Chancellor Avenue outside the stadium gates. The game was called early with Weequahic leading 24-0, and the score stood.
Newark police reported many fights but no arrests. Security and coaching staff tried to retake control, but the number of participants was overwhelming. Paul Brubaker, communications director for the Newark Board of Education, said the district does not accept unsportsmanlike behavior and both schools are working with the investigation.
Despite being in the top eight of its group, Weequahic, which is 4-1, will miss the playoffs due to the bans. West Side was always unlikely to qualify at 0-5, but the judgment stands. Ejected players receive a one-game suspension, but both teams lose postseason eligibility.
The NJSIAA has taken similar disciplinary action before. New Jersey basketball and wrestling teams have faced similar suspensions for athletes leaving the bench during altercations. The association’s strong enforcement of these standards emphasizes sportsmanship and order at athletic events.
After Saturday’s battle, the schools and city’s high school sports reputation will suffer. Disqualifying a good program like Weequahic as playoffs approach shows how quickly a season can fall when discipline goes down. Both teams will play their games, but this season’s state title possibility is gone.
Sources
NJSIAA statements
Newark Board of Education statements
Newark Police Department reports
NJ Advance Media coverage
