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Suitland High School’s football team suspended after incident with opposing coach

Suitland High School’s varsity football team has been suspended following an incident between players and a coach from Bladensburg High School, according to school officials in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

In a statement to WTOP, Prince George’s County Public Schools said it is investigating an incident that occurred after both teams played each other on Sept. 22.

Video posted on social media after Suitland defeated Bladensburg shows multiple Suitland Rams players holding up towels emblazoned with “Mustang Nation,” which is a reference to Bladensburg’s mascot. A coach is then seen approaching a player, and trying to take one of the towels from a player’s hand, before the video ends. School officials did not identify the coach involved in the incident or provide their current status.

The Rams schedule is suspended “pending the outcome of the investigation,” the statement said.

School officials did not say if Suitland’s game vs. DuVal High School on Sept. 29 or any others will be rescheduled or considered forfeits. Suitland’s record is 5-0. Bladensburg was allowed to play its game against Bowie last Friday.

An online petition calling for school officials to restore the Rams’ ability to play has over 1,900 signatures. 

Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Office of Athletics declined to comment as the incident remains under investigation.

It is the second time in a year that Prince George’s County schools have suspended a fall athletics program during active competition. Last November, the boys’ soccer team from Northwestern High School were disqualified from competing in the state playoffs after county officials said the Wildcats used an ineligible player during the season.

After winning 6 state football titles in Prince George’s Co., coach DaLawn Parrish heads south for new journey

DaLawn Parrish recalled receiving a call during a football practice from John Kelley, the head coach of Quince Orchard High School in Montgomery County, Maryland. As they spoke, Kelley questioned Parrish, the coach for Dr. Henry Wise Jr. High School, on the late times for his practices. After explaining the late bell schedule and giving the players 20 minutes to change before practice, Parrish was surprised to hear his coaching rival was away from his players. Instead, Kelley was at his daughter's soccer practice and told Parrish that he had time to see his family between the final bell and the start of practice.
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