Ten members of a Pennsylvania high‑school football team, including four coaches, face criminal charges after a 15‑year‑old player was allegedly assaulted with cleats and a broomstick during practice sessions.
The first alleged assault occurred on August 15, 2025. Two junior teammates recorded the incident, and the footage shows a broomstick used to poke the victim’s buttocks while other players held him down. No coaches were present during the confrontation.
A second incident was reported on September 3, 2025. Witnesses claim Isaiah Simpson, an 18‑year‑old player, kicked and stomped on the victim, who reportedly curled into a ball to protect himself from further blows to the head and groin.
Simpson faces charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. Josiah Peeler, 18, is charged with false swearing, and four additional players are charged, though their identities are withheld because they are minors.
Volunteer coach Ralph Burnley transported the injured player home after learning of the assault and informed head coach Terence Tolbert. Subsequent text messages between coaches led to a group call with the victim.
Assistant coach Darian “DJ” McFadden and Tolbert instructed the victim to keep the incident confidential and not notify his mother. Assistant coach Benjamin Johnson III joined them in deciding to keep the matter in-house.
The four coaches have been charged with conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child and endangering the welfare of a child, reflecting the seriousness of their alleged actions.
The victim’s mother learned of the second assault from a relative and brought her son to a hospital, where a
