Police respond to large fight at Harlem High School football game

MACHENSEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — A massive police force responded to a large fight at Harlem High School’s football stadium on Friday night.

Police responded to the scene around 9:27 p.m. during the third quarter.

According to Harlem Principal Jeremy Bois, two teens began fighting during the football game between the Harlem Huskies and Auburn Knights, and other students crowded the area and began fighting, and the “situation became volatile,” prompting a massive police response.

According to eyewitnesses, panicked onlookers began fleeing the stadium after what Bois said was a “false report of a firearm.”

Police used pepper spray and tasers to subdue several combatants, witnesses said. “Anyone taken into custody [was] actively engaged in fighting or aggressively resisted all staff and law enforcement,” Bois said.

“Although some of us may have some scrapes and minor bruises from the scuffle, no one was injured,” he added.

Police were seen placing individuals in squad cars, but have not announced any arrests.

The Winnebago County Sheriff, Harlem-Roscoe Fire, Illinois State Police, and officers from Roscoe, Rockton, and Rockford responded to the incident. Alpine Road was backed up as parents arrived to pick up their children.

“This situation was very intense, alarming, and dangerous, however all bystanders, adults, and students who either complied with our directions or were enjoying watching the game remained safe. We will continue to analyze the situation to ensure we are doing all we can to ensure everyone’s safety,” Bois said in a letter to parents.

The game was suspended with Harlem leading 20-6 and will be continued Saturday at 4:30 p.m., but only parents and guardians of students playing in the game will be allowed to attend, according to the athletic director.

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