Photograph: St. Landry School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins, Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor and Opelousas Parks and Recreation Director Chris Rideau discuss the decision to cancel the remaining portion of the annual parish football jamboree Friday night. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The annual St. Landry Parish Football Jamboree ended abruptly Friday night due to crowd security concerns following a physical disturbance that apparently began among spectators during a game between Opelousas and Northwest high schools.
Law enforcement officers providing security at Donald Gardner Stadium moved into the stands and encouraged spectators to leave stadium after Opelousas city and parish School District officials decided to end the event.
Some individuals interviewed as they began exiting the stadium claimed they heard gunshots after a fight occurred with five minutes and seven seconds left in the game.
Opelousas Police Chief Martin McLendon said however that officers had discovered no facts or evidence to substantiate accusations that gunfire had occurred at the stadium.
There were also no reports of anyone receiving injuries because of the incident which happened at 9:17 p.m.
It took about another hour for teams and participants to leave the stadium.
McLendon was adamant as he denied allegations that gunshots occurred during the game.
“No shots were fired. There was no gun involved. One fight started with kids and afterward everyone started running. Then it became a stampede,” McLendon said during an interview.
Mayor Julius Alsandor and St. Landry School Superintendent Patrick Jenkins agreed that it was prudent to cancel the remainder of the jamboree even though there was a third game between Eunice and Beau Chene which hadn’t been played.
“Due to the nature of the situation, we decided it was best to end things and keep the public, teams and everyone safe. It’s unfortunate for Beau Chene and Eunice that they were unable to play. I know the coaches and players are disappointed,” Jenkins said.
Alsandor said prior to the incident in the stands, the behavior of the crowd was commendable.
“It was a great crowd. They all came out here to enjoy the games. No one can confirm or saw anyone with a gun. I thought we made a good decision to cancel the rest of the jamboree. It’s unfortunate that something like this had to happen, because we had such great attendance. It’s ashamed that you see things like this happening now throughout our country,” Alsandor said.
Northwest High was trailing Opelousas 13-6 when suddenly the Northwest players standing on the sideline began running towards the south end zone.
Other Northwest players present on the field quickly fell to the ground and remained there as members of the Eunice High football team which were watching the game from the end zone, began sprinting for safety.
Northwest assist coach Kurt Ware said he wasn’t sure what was happening as the players behind him scurried for safety.
“I heard that someone yelled ‘shooter’ and that’s when kids started taking off, heading for the end zone,” Ware said.
Northwest quarterback Cameron Joubert said he couldn’t confirm whether he or any of his teammates heard weapons being fired.
“Just rumors, that’s all I can say,” Jourbert said as he lined up to move towards the Northwest team bus.
Eunice head coach Andre Vige was especially upset, since his varsity players were also unable to compete at a Thursday night jamboree at Clark Field in Lafayette. That game was canceled due to weather conditions.
“This is not good. We waited for two hours (in Lafayette) before it was determined we couldn’t play. Now this happens. I don’t know how we can prepare for the start of a season without getting any work in. We didn’t practice outdoors all this week because of the rain,” said Vige.
