North Chicago H.S. Football Suspended

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Sep 10, 2009 8:40PM

Following last week's nasty brawl with Simeon High School, all levels of the North Chicago High School football program have been suspended, meaning the team will forfeit all games set for this weekend against Vernon Hills. The Illinois High School Association made the announcement earlier today and will meet with NCHS officials to determine what will happen with the team for the rest of the season.

IHSA executive director Marty Hickman defended the decision to come down harshly on NCHS over Simeon, saying:

"The word melee comes to mind, but it is very one sided...There are some kids from Simeon involved, but in some situations multiple players are surrounding a kid from Simeon and knocking the kid to the ground. There was someone stomping on a kid's head with North Chicago players surrounding the kid.

"Simeon isn't fault free, but just the sheer number of kids out there from North Chicago and the manner in which they go after some of these kids is just very disturbing," Hickman said. "There are situations where a group of kids is attacking--that's the only word that comes to mind--attacking."

Simeon won't be completely without punishment, though: eight players are suspended for their part in the fight - six for one game and two for two games.