Brawl between students draws police and ends high school football game in Buffalo; Arrests were made

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A football game between two Buffalo Public Schools teams was abruptly canceled Friday night after a fight broke out between two students in the stands, a district official confirmed.

BPS athletics director Michael House told WIVB News 4 he made the decision to end the Bennett-McKinley game at halftime after two female students got into a physical altercation at Robert E. Rich All-High Stadium. Officials with the Buffalo Police Department said several arrests were made in connection with “fights” at the stadium.

“It is very disappointing and very embarrassing that we have some students attempting to divert the attention of our student-athletes and coaches and resorting to violence,” House said. “Violence is not the answer.”

House said Buffalo police responded quickly to the scene after a crowd of students gathered in the area where the altercation between the two students occurred. Police and BPS security officers worked to clear the scene, keep teams separated and get everyone safely out of the venue.

“We strategically divided the teams, made sure all the football players and cheerleaders were safe, divided them between both ends of the stadium and then into the buses, and dismissed all spectators. Everyone left the stadium but there were a lot of kids gathering on a Friday night with nothing positive to do, which is very disappointing.”

The game ended with Bennett leading 36-0 after two quarters, and Bennett was officially awarded a win, House said.

A BPS spokesperson said in a statement that the district is working with police to investigate the situation and that “this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”