Cheerleaders attacked during high school football game brawl, Illinois officials say

Several cheerleaders were attacked in a brawl during a high school football game in Illinois, officials say.

It happened during halftime of the Friday, Sept. 20, game between Richards High School and Oak Lawn Community High School, according to District 229 Superintendent Shahe Bagdasarian.

The matchup was Richards High School’s Homecoming game.

A verbal and physical fight broke out, which Bagdasarian said was initiated by a person who is not an Oak Lawn student. Bagdasarian did not say if the individual attends Richards High School.

“Several of our cheerleaders were unfortunately attacked,” the superintendent said. “Oak Lawn Police and other law enforcement immediately intervened to remove all individuals that were causing conflict. Numerous students and parents were removed from the game.”

Two juveniles were arrested, Oak Lawn police confirmed to WGN. They are charged with battery, according to WBBM.

Bagdasarian said there were no major injuries.

Patch.com reported the fight occurred on the Oak Lawn side of the bleachers.

“Sadly there is too much of this going on in high school sports,” District 218 Superintendent Josh Barron said, Patch.com reported. “We have magnetometers and cameras. Our security drives through our (high school) parking lots looking for suspicious activity and open cars. I feel for kids today, there is a lot of trauma.”

Richards High School went on to win the game 68-12.

Both schools are in Oak Lawn, a suburb southwest of Chicago.

This story was originally published September 24, 2024 at 8:11 AM with the headline "Cheerleaders attacked during high school football game brawl, Illinois officials say."