Last week, a football game at a Prince William County high school turned controversial, leading to an investigation over potential cheating. It has come to light that volunteers responsible for measuring downs and distances may have used electronic devices improperly.
This situation arose after the playoff match between Battlefield and Forest Park High Schools that took place last Friday night.
Officials from Prince William County Schools revealed that individuals on the chain gang, who were officiating the game at Battlefield, allegedly misused communication tools.
In response to the claims, the principals of both schools put out a joint statement for families after the game.
According to the statement, the chain gang members violated established protocol, leading to decisive action once the Student Activities Management Department was informed during the game, resulting in the dismissal of the volunteers.
Guidelines from the National Federation of State High School Associations explicitly state that chain gang crews are prohibited from any form of communication with the visiting team or the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during their duties.
In the game itself, Battlefield triumphed over Forest Park with a score of 27 to 16, proceeding to the next semifinal round.
Once the investigation concludes, Prince William County Schools plans to present its findings to the Virginia High School League to determine whether any penalties will be imposed.
A letter shared with families on Saturday included the following message:
“Dear Families of Forest Park and Battlefield High Schools,
We aim to provide more clarity regarding a concerning incident from last night’s varsity playoff game. Reports emerged that certain volunteers on the first-down chains were inappropriately using communication devices. Upon request, referees instructed them to cease use and those volunteers were removed to prevent further issue.
This matter was escalated to the Prince William County Public Schools Student Activities Management Department, which has since started a thorough investigation. Findings will be sent to the Virginia High School League to aid in deciding whether penalties are necessary.
In light of these events, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the remarkable dedication our student-athletes have shown throughout the season. Their commitment to excellence both on and off the field reflects the pride of our school community. Going forward, we are dedicated to promoting the values of integrity and sportsmanship, so that fair play and respect remain integral to all competitions.
Kind regards,
Richard Martinez
Principal, Forest Park High School
Delores Lucas
Principal, Battlefield High School
As this investigation unfolds, Battlefield is set to host North Stafford for the semifinal round this Friday night.
