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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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Monday, October 12, 2009 10:00 PM CDT
Cool heads kept fight from escalating after 'powder puff' contest

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — A confrontation after a powder puff football game last week almost went from a fist fight to a mismatched melee.

But cooler heads prevailed, said Mattoon Deputy Police Chief Jeff Branson of the Wednesday night incident at the Junior Football League field.

An article in Saturday’s newspaper said the fight came at a JFL game. But this “powder puff” game matched teams of high school girls during Mattoon High School’s homecoming week.

One man, a relative of one of the players in the informal flag football game among MHS girls, was charged with battery after an investigation of the incident.

“It was a very volatile situation and we appreciate the parents who showed restraint when tempers were at a fever pitch. They did stop and cooperated with an off-duty officer and others helping cool things down at the scene,” Branson said.

The game is a homecoming week tradition in Mattoon, but not sponsored by the school district.

“It is not a school event and we do not condone it,” said Mattoon School Superintendent Larry Lilly. “We do not have control over what students and their families do off school property on their own time.”

The game got a little rough when some of the players started to get overly physical.

“It was a flag football game that turned into tackle,” Branson said.

When the game ended, some competitors stayed aggressive and parents and relatives came forward to break up the confrontation, Branson said.

One boy reportedly trying to separate two girls at about 8 p.m. was punched by Jason P. Hudson, 36. Officers investigating the incident determined Hudson’s action had no legal justification and he is charged with battery, facing a court date in Coles County Circuit Court. Hudson posted bond after he was charged late last week.

However, many people that night seemed ready to attack Hudson after he threw his punch. He was followed by many individuals into the JFL parking lot.

“An off-duty officer and others kept that crowd off Hudson,” Branson said. “Many people listened to them and dispersed. That is good how they showed restraint at that point.”

He added that many people present also cooperated with the investigation that indicated Hudson’s role.

The powder puff is a tradition for MHS students, but it is not a school-sponsored event for homecoming week.

“It is not a school event and we do not condone it,” said Mattoon School Superintendent Larry Lilly. “We do not have control over what students and their families do off school property on their own time.”

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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~STRANGER~ wrote on Oct 13, 2009 5:35 AM:

" Thats what Mattoon needs next,a big female mudd wrastling pit.I wonder if jason got his feelings hurt,getting beat up on by a bunch of girls?lol "

Rockin Rotty wrote on Oct 13, 2009 1:20 PM:

" What was a few of the online posters saying about the bullying problem at MHS again?

Eh, but the Super makes it well known, that this is not a school event, so I guess this will be swept under the rug, as usual. "

61938 wrote on Oct 13, 2009 7:25 PM:

" Been on vacation Herb? Only took a week to get this in print. Nothing like the timely reporting of the JG-TC. "

Mattoon Resident wrote on Oct 13, 2009 8:15 PM:

" A fight off campus, The school is not responsible. I have an idea. Give Juniors off campus lunch hours. This will not happen again. "

M wrote on Oct 14, 2009 6:02 AM:

" The boy who got his tooth knocked out by that aggressive "fan" was indeed attempting to break up a fight...the girl whose relative punched him was on the ground and this kids foot bumped her and she was accusing him of kicking her in the face. I know this boy and he is a good kid. I am glad the "adult" was arrested and I hope he regrets his attack of a kid who was actually trying to help. "

medic57 wrote on Oct 14, 2009 7:05 AM:

" Happens every time you let parents get involved. Seen it to many times. "

Harry Potter wrote on Oct 14, 2009 9:45 AM:

" Happens every time you let parents get involved. Seen it to many times. "

Rarely do we agree medic, but I think you hit the nail on the head with that one. "