Disturbance halts football game between Bonner-Prendie, Upper Darby

UPPER DARBY — The 18th renewal of the rivalry football game between Upper Darby High and host Bonner-Prendergast was stopped with 10:51 left in the fourth quarter Friday when fans from both teams stormed the field in an apparent panic.

With Bonner leading, 12-0, there was known to be some banging of a pipe on a stadium fence, causing alarm. One source at the game believed there was a pre-arranged plan for someone to yell “gun” in an attempt to create a stir. That was not confirmed, nor did police immediately indicate that was a possibility. Police did confirm a “fight.”

Once a disturbance began in the seating area, a massive portion of the crowd estimated to be more than 1,000 people, darted onto the field in the direction of the intersection of Lansdowne Ave. and Garrett Road. Players from both teams were also seen evacuating the field in that direction.

Police from multiple districts arrived quickly, and within minutes, an Upper Darby police officer asked that an announcement be made for fans to calmly exit the facility, stressing, “There is no active emergency at this time.”

The fans complied and there was no further disruption. Police reported one injury, which was related to the crush of people fleeing.

“There were reports of a shooting at tonight’s Monsignor Bonner/Upper Darby Football game,” tweeted the Upper Darby Police. “Those reports are FALSE. There was a physical fight, the game was canceled and police are clearing the area. Please do not come to the area of the high school.”

Bonner-Prendie had just taken a 12-0 lead a minute into the fourth quarter. Friars coach Jack Muldoon said he was told the game was official.

The Upper Darby players and coaches immediately retreated to their school, roughly a quarter mile away on Lansdowne Ave. After meeting with his players, Royals coach Dave Barr was guarded by a public-relations sentry and told to limit his comments. He was not permitted to talk about the game or whether he considered it official, saying only that, “I’m glad my kids and players are safe.”

Bonner-Prendie scored in the first quarter when Jalil Hall caught a 23-yard scoring pass from Colin Finnegan. A 27-yard run by Avery Hankey gave the Friars the 12-0 lead.

“I feel really bad,” Muldoon said. “Dave Barr is one of my closest friends. He does such a great job over there and I feel bad for his kids and I feel bad for all the people here. I hope it doesn’t create something that it really shouldn’t because people like to create hysteria.”