Posted on 07/10/2009 9:57:28 AM PDT by Born Conservative
WILKES-BARRE – Two Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers af2 football players were suspended by Head Coach Rich Ingold after they allegedly were involved in a brawl outside a South Main Street caf� early Thursday morning.
City police said Justin Denmar Parrish, 25, assaulted a woman, who was knocked unconscious, and Jason Prince Acquaye, 23, failed to leave the area when told by officers, according to arrest records.
Police said the incident began just before 2 a.m. at Caf� Luna, 41 S. Main St., while police were investigating a report that a man was waving a gun. Police said that when they arrived, a large group of people ran out of the caf�.
An officer was speaking with Parrish outside the caf� when Parrish ran after a man, jumped on his back and began punching him, police allege.
Police said Nicole Allen tried to pull Parrish off the man when Parrish punched her in the head, throwing Allen off her feet. She struck her head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious, police said.
“They broke team rules and I have to suspend them both,” Ingold said. “From what I gather, it’s enough to suspend them right now indefinitely.”
Ingold said the arenafootball2 league may take further action.
Parrish, who is listed on the Pioneers’ Web site as being 6 feet, 1 inch and 255 pounds, plays on the defensive line. A Kent State graduate, his player profile describes him as “…a pass rushing beast.”
Acquaye, at 6 feet, 2 inches and 280 pounds, is a fullback/linebacker. He played his collegiate ball at Wilkes University, where he led the university to the Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship in 2006.
“They’re both quality players; Justin is the best in the game,” Ingold said. “I talked to Justin this morning; he assures me it’s not what people are saying.”
Ingold said their suspensions won’t have an impact on the team, which has compiled an 11-2 record. The Pioneers next game is scheduled for Saturday in Washington against the 12-1 Spokane Shock.
“We have enough players in-house to function as a team,” Ingold said. “We do enough in the community; we feel we’re a fine organization.”
According to the criminal complaints:
Police said Allen, of Prospect Street, Wilkes-Barre, was knocked back about five to 10 feet from where Parrish allegedly punched her. Allen was transported to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, for head injuries, police said.
Police said that after he allegedly punched Allen, Parrish jumped up and started running away. He was captured after a brief foot chase, police said.
A large group of people gathered in the area, including Acquaye, who taunted officers, the criminal complaints say. Acquaye left, only to return with several other men and women yelling at officers.
Acquaye and his group, according to the criminal complaint, surrounded the officer who was detaining Parrish. Police said Acquaye was arrested when he failed to leave the area.
Parrish was charged with aggravated assault, escape and disorderly conduct. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $50,000 bail. Acquaye was charged with riot, failure to disperse upon official order and disorderly conduct. He was jailed for lack of $5,000 bail.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for July 16.
Parrish and Acquaye are the second and third Pioneers players to be suspended due to charges.
On March 24, Pioneers defensive end Isaac Hilton Jr., 28, was suspended after he was arrested by Kingston police on drug charges.
Kingston police allege Hilton sold marijuana from his then Second Avenue apartment on Jan. 17, according to arrest records.
assualted=assaulted
i didnt know the amish played football.
I thought the AFL season was cancelled.
I remembered reading that a few months back; maybe they got Obama stimulus money for this season.
Must have gotten hold of some Red Bull(I mean the REAL Red Bull).
I think this is Triple-A AFL.
Tough guys!
Find a tree and some rope......
You know more about it than me. Thanks for clarifying. I do know that the Pioneers was originally owned (in part) by Johnny Unitas.
Ping.
BTW, have you been following the story about the SWB Yankees and the field problems at Montage?
when you’re getting into early morning bar brawls with women in Scranton-Wilkes Barre, it’s pretty clear you aren’t ticketed for the Hall of Fame
That’s an understatement...
Pretty soon it will be labeled “racist” to show photos of black criminals. No kidding.
Wait. He was speaking with a police officer and interrupted his own conversation - with the police officer - to jump someone. In front of the officer.
Ego too big to share space with too many brain cells I guess.
My parents lived outside Wilkes-Barre for a number of years. Lots of thuggery there.
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