All-Star Football Contest Halted in the Third Quarter After Brawl Erupts on Field

The 17th Ventura County Lions & Coaches All-Star football game was halted late in the third quarter Saturday when a brawl erupted on the playing field at Thousand Oaks High.

The East was leading, 21-6, with 2 minutes 40 seconds left in the period when a fight broke out in front of the West bench.

Several more fights ensued during the next 10 minutes, and officials called the game when the West team could not be restrained by officials and the four security guards present. Three Ventura County Sheriff’s Department vehicles were dispatched to the field and each team was escorted by police as it left the parking lot.

“I’m not sure if this will be a forfeit or not, but the game has to end,” referee Pete Rogalsky said.

Norman McDaniels, chairman of the game’s organizing committee, said a meeting will held within the next two weeks to determine if the annual event will be held again.

Moments before the brawl, Oxnard High’s Johnel Taylor of the West threw water on East players after a play in front of the West bench. One play later, a West player tackled an East player during a break in the action, and several scuffles ensued in which players were gang-tackled and others thrown viciously to the ground.

Turner, a quarterback, had to be restrained by numerous players. After the fights were broken up, Turner rushed to the East sideline and taunted players and fans.

“There were several key guys on the West team that were taunting all night long,” East Coach Curtis Garner said. “There were late hits on both sides too. I think this is something the officiating staff needs to deal with, because there could have been some players kicked out earlier.”

West assistant coach George Contreras said his team was at fault. “As far as I’m concerned, the only ones to blame are our kids,” he said. “It’s supposed to be a fun thing, a chance to showcase the kids’ talent, but this was ugly.”

Contreras, coaching his fourth all-star game, cited the difficulties in dealing with players from various schools. The West team was coached by Rio Mesa’s staff.

“A regular game is much more easier to control, because your kids have to answer to you on Monday,” he said.

Before the fighting, some football was played, most of which featured the East.

After spotting the West a 6-0 lead on a 27-yard pass from Jason Isaacs of Buena to J. J. Alvarez of Oxnard with 6:25 left in the first quarter, the East used an aggressive defense and opportunistic offense to set up three scores.

Camarillo’s Zach Achen returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards and, two plays later, Royal’s Jesse Rosen scored from 10 yards with 5:23 left. Victor Magdaleno of Moorpark, who contributed a first-half interception, added the point-after to give the East a 7-6 lead.

Hugo Virto of Fillmore scored on a 10-yard run with 10:44 left in the half and Magdaleno’s PAT gave the East a 14-6 lead.

Eric Hale of Simi Valley capped a 50-yard drive with a one-yard run and Magdaleno’s PAT extended the East’s lead to 21-6 at 4:55 of the third period.