High school rivalries tend to bring out the best in players and fans. Sometimes they bring out the worst, too.
Recently it hasn’t been so much the players but the onlookers in the stands causing the most commotion.
Tonight, a game will be played in Seneca, S.C., between Seneca and Daniel High with no fans present, due to what has been described as “recent community events.” Players, coaches, officials, game personnel, school administrators, police and the media will be the only people allowed.
“Everybody is usually in high spirits in a rivalry game,” said Brian Montgomery, student resource officer at Cleveland High School. “Everybody wants their team to win, and we want the fans to be able to enjoy the game, so as long as they can stay in their seats and be passionate, yet family rated, things are fine.”
The most recent case of an area rivalry getting out of hand happened last Friday during the Brainerd-Tyner game, when a series of fights between fans began with 48.1 seconds remaining in an eventual 51-45 Tyner victory. The game was almost called as officers spent nearly 40 minutes trying to restore order inside and out of the gym.