5 taken into custody after fights at Norristown-Upper Merion high school football game
NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A fight outside the Norristown Area High School's football stadium brought a game to a halt on Thursday afternoon.
It happened during the annual "Battle of the Bridge" varsity football game between Norristown and players who attend the Upper Merion Area School District.
According to a joint statement by the superintendents of both districts, there were no issues inside the football stadium, but during halftime, a "series of altercations" broke out in the parking lot along the 1900 block of Eagle Drive.
Five juveniles were taken into custody. Police say they were all members of the Norristown Area High School District.
West Norriton Police Chief Michael Kelly said, "That's a shame because it is a small group of individuals that went out into the parking lot and started to fight. So I mean people have to act responsible and parents have to be responsible."
Chopper 6 was overhead around 7 p.m. as police officers were on the scene.
"We want to emphasize that these incidents were not as a result of any conflict between Norristown Area High School and Upper Merion Area High School," the statement said. "Both schools share a commitment to sportsmanship and respect, and the actions of a few individuals do not reflect the values of our student-athletes and supporters," the statement continued.
The game will resume on Saturday at 10 a.m. without spectators. The game will be live-streamed, officials said.
Kelly says he's hopeful for a safe school year.
"It's a shame this had to happen, but hopefully in the future, they'll be more respectful," said Kelly.
Both school districts will be meeting with their police departments to discuss football game security moving forward.
This isn't the first football season that had problems.
Just a year ago at the Abington-Cheltenham game, a Cheltenham student brought a gun to the game. The game was suspended.
This year Abington has opted out of playing that game.
