Overbrook (Pine Hill, N.J.) high school has suspended 24 players - over half its team - for the rest of the season, and will forfeit tonight's game against Haddonfield, Overbrook head coach Wade Inge told MaxPreps.
The suspensions resulted from an incident that involved numerous players, including seniors and captains.
Inge, in his second year at Overbrook, said the decision was made with the integrity of the program in mind.
"All the kids signed a contract before the season for what we expected of them and what they were supposed to do. They decided not to follow that contract," Inge said. "We didn't pick and choose. We decided to do it all together. They were all dismissed together."
Inge met with both the school administration and superintendent before the decision was made, and both have supported it, Inge said.
Since the news broke, Inge has been inundated by phone calls from parents.
"We had a parent meeting to tell them what was going on, but because it happened so fast, only one could make it," he said. "I've been fielding calls all last night, this morning. So far, most have been disappointed but have understood."
With only 21 players currently on the roster, most of whom are freshmen, Overbrook could not field a team tonight against Haddonfield.
However, Inge plans to play the team's final two games of the season, against West Deptford and Lindenwold.
"It's difficult when you lose half a team," he said. "But I stand by my decision."
