Damascus Football Program to Forfeit Games for Breaking Rules

The Damascus football program is making headlines — for all the wrong reasons. Again.

Several members of the Damascus football team and coaches conducted an unauthorized practice last month resulting in both the varsity and junior varsity teams forfeiting their first game of the 2019 season.

Montgomery County Public Schools wrote Damascus families, “an out-of-season practice took place on the Damascus High School stadium field on May 19, 2019. Following an investigation, it was confirmed that a number of returning Damascus football players and coaches conducted an out-of-season practice.”

This is the letter that was sent out to Damascus families (click to enlarge):

The football program at Damascus – once known for dominating opponents and winning multiple state titles — has developed a much different reputation since the October 31 locker room sexual assault of a junior varsity player by four 15-year-old JV teammates that drew national attention.

The out-of-season practice and forfeiture of games is just the latest in a series of events for the Damascus football program since the sexual assault.

Timeline of events:

Oct. 31 — Attack of the JV football player

Nov. 1 — Police notified of the attack

Nov. 21 — Four defendants charged as adults

Nov. 26 — Four defendants released on $20,000 bail.

Nov. 29 — Four defendants indicted on eight rape counts.

March 21 — Lawyer for fourth defendant successfully petitions client’s case to juvenile court. Lawyers for the other defendants have previously convinced judge that the cases belong in juvenile court.

May 7 — Principal Casey Crouse resigns.

May 14 — MCPS announces football program on probation, athletic director Joe Doody removed from position and JV coach Vincent Colbert fired.

May 19 — Players and coaches conduct out-of-season practice.

June 12 — MCPS announces that varsity and junior varsity teams will forfeit their respective first games.

Sept. 6 — First game of the 2019 season against Rockville to be forfeited

About Joe Yasharoff

Joe Yasharoff is MCM's Director of Content and Operations. He is also an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Maryland. Previously, Joe was the Managing Editor at NBC Sports Washington and Executive Sports Producer at FOX5 (WTTG-TV). He hosts the MoCo's Most Famous podcast for MCM.

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