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Football players take to field after alcohol-related arrest
Football players take to field after alcohol-related arrest - story by Bob WilsonFootball Players are benched - story by Bob WilsonCheck All | Clear All

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(North Branford-WTNH, Oct. 27, 2006 Updated 10:30 PM) _ A homecoming football game in North Branford got plenty of attention as much for what happened off the field as on. Some players who were charged with alcohol possession were back in uniform, and that has police crying foul.

• by News Channel 8's Bob Wilson

Number 17, Matt Rossi, the North Branford quarterback dropped back for a pass and dropped the ball in one play against The Morgan School of Clinton Friday night, but did he fumble off the field? Police charged him and four other football players last weekend for possession of alcohol when they raided an underage drinking party in the basement of a house.
"They observed nine youth with alcohol in their hands holding cans of beer," Deputy Chief Michael Doody, North Branford Police Dept., said.
The players were originally suspended from practice and this homecoming game and had to perform community service. But Superintendent Robert Wolfe, who didn't want to go on camera, told News Channel 8, that after an in-depth investigation and hearing the school believed the starting quarterback and a running back who was not identified because of his age were not drinking. They were allowed to play in tonight's big rivalry with Morgan.
Police are angry. They say they students did have beers in their hands and despite testifying at numerous hearings in the past at the school, police were not called in the school's investigation.
"They had one police report that they sent to the office, but they never contacted us, never asked our officers to testify at any hearing," Dooley said.
"It sends a very poor message. If a hearing is going to be held, no police officers are going to be testifying, and they over turn the decision without any police officer testifying."
As North Branford and Clinton battled it out on the field, parents battled it out in the stands.
"I think they should be allowed to play," said Val Tamulevich. "I don't think that it's that serious."
"It's got to be priority one," says Mike Finkeldey. "The school has to step in and help out where they can."
"Is it about winning a football game? No, not at all," says Adele Lewis of Clinton. "It's about what is right and what is wrong and if you want to be an athlete you do what is right. That's the bottom line."
In all 20 students were found at last weekend's house party. The homeowner, 54 year old Caroline Pethick, was charged under a new state law which holds the homeowner responsible for anything that happens in their home.
Two other players have appealed their punishment

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