Missouri high school football team pepper-sprayed by Ohio police after on-field altercation

Cardinal Ritter College Prep, one of Missouri’s top high school football teams, is at the center of a controversial police response following their game against Ohio powerhouse Massillon Washington.

The matchup, which took place Friday night in the Buckeye State, ended in a 28-14 win for the home squad. But in the handshake line, tensions flared between the two programs with players reportedly shoving each other. At that point, video shows officers rushing into the middle of the situation and spraying Cardinal Ritter players and coaches.

According to Dylan Kelly, a videographer at the game who captured the incident on camera, the spray was directed solely at Cardinal Ritter’s side.

“It was very eye-opening,” Kelly told Fox 2-St Louis in an interview. “Like why would this happen? Why would you especially pepper spray or mace a bunch of high schoolers?”

Several Cardinal Ritter parents plan to file complaints with the Massillon Police Department, and Cardinal Ritter’s administration is assisting them in doing so.

Carolyn Thomas, a parent of one of the players, posted her reaction on Facebook.

“There was no fighting,” Thomas wrote. “Maybe a shove from the other team. Just out of nowhere the Ohio police decided to mace the team. I can’t believe our young men had to go through that. … They made it home safe. Thanks to the coaching staff for getting the kids back to the hotel safe. I’m one of the parents that will file a complaint. My child and those young men did not deserve what was (done) to them. I watched the entire game live and I was livid. Keep our young men and staff in your prayers, and the parents.”

No official statement from police department

“It was very heartbreaking that my son had to experience this as a 16-year-old athlete,” Ashley Ashburn, another parent, told Fox 2. “Just trying to play the game that he loves.”

Her son, Dayon “DJ” Ross, was hit directly in the face by the spray. Teammates rushed to spray water onto his face in the aftermath.

“He got maced pretty bad in his eyes, and it immediately made his drop to his knees,” she continued.

Asked about it after the game, Massillon head coach told the Canton Repository: “I had no idea. Next question.”

The Massillon Police Department has yet to release an official statement on the incident, which marred a key win for the Tigers, who moved to 4-2 with the win. Cardinal Ritter, meanwhile, fell to 2-3 but still ranks as the No. 12 team in the Show-Me State, according to the Rivals Composite High School Football Team Ranking.

How to Follow Missouri High School Football

For Missouri high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the state, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Show-Me State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the state of Missouri.