New details revealed after local middle school players punished, coach suspended

The Killeen ISD has provided more details about what led to the suspension or dismissal of 10 local middle school football players one of whose coaches was placed on administrative leave.

According to the district, 10 players from Palo Alto Middle School were suspended for one game and three other players dismissed from the team.

"At a middle school football game this week, Palo Alto Middle School players and the coach behaved entirely inappropriately. There was a great deal of bad sportsmanship, verbally abusive behavior, and a number of penalties from the referees to the team and coach," part of a statement from Chief Communications Officer Terry Abbott read.

The school's coach, Nicholas Parker, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a Killeen ISD investigation.

On Monday, the district revealed more about what happened during the Oct. 23 game.

Abbott says Palo Alto players and the coach were flagged by the officials numerous times for late hits, unsportsmanlike conduct and other penalties.

"They were verbally abusive to the officials and the players of the other team. At one point, the coach would not leave the field," he said.

But, a parent of a Palo Alto football player says her son heard racist language from the other side.

"I asked did they win. All he could say was 'no' because the game was over. There was a big altercation. He heard the refs and coaches get into it and racial slurs being used toward the coach and students from the referees," Kendra Hayes said.

Details into if anything was said by either team were not revealed by the district.

An email sent to the Texas Association of Sports Officials was not returned at the time this story was published.

"There was flag after flag. He said they felt antagonized after awhile, there was just so many flags being thrown," Hayes said.

Full statement from Terry Abbott at Killeen ISD:

"Palo Alto players and the coach were flagged by the officials numerous times for late hits, unsportsmanlike conduct and other penalties. They were verbally abusive to the officials and the players of the other team. At one point, the coach would not leave the field. Officials and school administrators who witnessed the scene have given statements about the egregious misconduct of the coach and the players both during the game and afterwards. Multiple players and the coach violated rules of conduct for students/athletes and employees and have been and are being punished for these actions. The investigation into the event is continuing and additional action against coach and players could be taken. Dr. Craft said the conduct was absolutely reprehensible and will never be tolerated in this school district."