Youth football group bans four after fracas

It started with a 12-year-old running the wrong way in football practice.

By the time it was over, the boy's father was hurling assault charges at a coach. Adults were fighting. And a middle-school football association had barred four people from its games, practices and functions.

"All parties that were involved in this incident have been removed and banned from the Woodstock Junior Wolverines football program," president Jay Purpura told the AJC Tuesday.

The incident unfolded Aug. 4 at the Woodstock High School practice field. Cherokee County School Police responded to a report of an assault about 8 p.m.

Jose Sandoval, 46, told officers that when his son took a handoff and ran the wrong way, an assistant coach "lost it."

The Canton father of two claimed the coach, Doug Mowery, shoved a football into his son's stomach and cursed at the boy. Sandoval said Mowery then hit his son in the back of the head with the football, knocking him down.

"He ran through the wrong hole but that doesn't give you or anybody the right to punch a kid or curse at a kid," Sandoval said. "I understand they don't want parents to go on the field, but when you do that, everything is out the window."

While officers were interviewing Sandoval, a man identified as Chris Stubblefield came out of the crowd shouting at Sandoval, "stating it was wrong for Mr. Sandoval to charge the field, going after the coach," the incident report states.

Sandoval yelled obscenities at Stubblefield, who took a swing at him, the report said. Pushing and shoving ensued.

Then Sandoval's 24-year-old son hit Stubblefield from behind and ran away, according to the report. Police put Stubblefield in a patrol car "until the emotionally charged situation could be sorted out," the report said.

Police opted not to file charges.

Sandoval said he is still weighing his options. He said a doctor diagnosed his son with a mild concussion and recommended two weeks of rest.