A really bad scene developed after the Beaumont Ozen/La Marque Class 4A, Division II regional playoff game on Saturday. Just read the article here about the aftermath, which involved cops and pepper spray.
↵There was a fight earlier in the game with a player from La Marque throwing a punch and getting ejected. Then, after the post-game handshakes went fine, the players had to cross each other again. That's when the fight broke out.
↵What's really disappointing is that the police thought it necessary to pepper spray the crowd. Coaches as well as players who were not involved got sprayed. It was just a sad, sad scene at the end of a pretty entertaining game. I know the losing side (Ozen) was pretty crushed by the loss, as most high school teams are, but to have the game end like this?
↵High school athletes are not paid and are playing more for pride than anything else. Some are trying to get to the next level, but it's mainly about playing the game. That's why a situation like this should never happen.
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