Mid-game brawl leads to charges for youth football coaches

Three youth football coaches in Pennsylvania were charged Thursday after a brawl erupted during a game between Carlynton and Keystone Oaks, involving 8 and 9-year-old players. The incident occurred in Carnegie, a Pittsburgh suburb, on Saturday. Carlynton coach DeQuay Canton, 24, was seen arguing with Keystone Oaks coach Frank McGrath, 37, who was on the sideline. As the fight escalated, more Keystone Oaks coaches joined the altercation, according to a criminal complaint.

Video footage shows that during the melee, another Keystone Oaks coach, Joseph Kobiak, 35, allegedly threw a punch at Canton's head. The Carnegie Police Department charged Canton with disorderly conduct and harassment, alleging he threw punches that caused substantial harm and serious inconvenience. McGrath and Kobiak were charged by summons with the same offenses. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The Steel City Youth Football League, which organized the game, suspended the two coaches involved in the brawl indefinitely. Additionally, the league suspended five other coaches from both teams pending the outcome of their investigation. The league is reviewing video footage, referee reports, and witness statements to determine the scope of the inquiry, which may extend to other personnel, coaches, or spectators involved in the brawl.