HS FOOTBALL: Two sides to story in ECR-Canoga postgame brawl

The parents of El Camino Real linebacker Chance Smith are considering filing charges after Smith suffered a bloody lip after allegedly being punched by a Canoga Park assistant during a brawl immediately following El Camino Real's 36-34 win over the visiting Hunters late Friday, El Camino Real coach Kevin Williams said.

Both Williams and Canoga Park head coach Ivan Moreno agree the fight started when Moreno confronted Williams during the post-game handshakes, though Moreno said he was pushed first while Williams says it was the other way around.

"Ivan was very upset, and he started screaming at me, saying we didn't earn the win on the field," Williams said. "That's something I took exception to because the truth is, the game should not have even been that close because the refs killed us, not them. If anyone was getting screwed by the officials, it was us."

Williams said several witnesses allegedly saw a Canoga Park assistant punch Smith, but the El Camino Real coach said he is not sure of the assistant's name. Williams said Smith was treated by a team trainer and did not go to the hospital, adding that one of his own assistants, Ali Mireaha, also was punched in the face by a Canoga Park player.

"I was frustrated and upset about the way the game ended, but Kevin Williams is the one who got in my face," Moreno said. "I remember one of my assistants saying to the El Camino Real guys, 'Hey, relax, don't push,' and the next thing I know, kids are flying around."