California high school football game called early after on-field brawl

Tempers flared and benches cleared on Saturday night during the first-ever football game between California high schools Fresno Central and Garza, leading to the game being called in the third quarter.

Fresno Central was leading 40-0 in a lopsided blowout when players from each team got into it on the field. Things escalated quickly when a Central player ripped off the helmet of a Garza opponent, swung it and hit the other player across the side of the head.

Chaos ensued after that, with both teams’ benches coming onto the field as coaches and administrators tried to separate the two sides.

At one point, another Central player chased down a Garza player and attempted to hit him, but inadvertently sucker-punched a Garza coach in the side of the head from behind.

And another angle.
Madness https://t.co/Uqq9lwugqk pic.twitter.com/Rd0pNax5jC

— PAGMETER (@PAGMETER) August 24, 2024

According to the ABC news affiliate in Fresno, the Central Unified School District is meeting with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) on Monday to discuss the next course of action.

In a statement, Central Unified Superintendent Ketti Davis called for the community to “continue to focus on promoting respect, sportsmanship, and the values that reflect the best of Central students, staff, and community.”

Garza opened its doors in 2021 and was named after longtime Central High coach Justin Garza, who passed in 2017 after a six-year battle with cancer.