Every week Dewey and I figure out which football games we're each responsible for and which one of those we will see in person.

Last week, among my five, I chose to travel to Edgewood to see the Rams and visiting Mariners, of Joppatowne, do battle.

As I made my way onto the sideline, I scanned the stands that are only on one side of the field in Edgewood. The stands were pretty full, both school bands were in attendance and it was a nice dry, yet cool, night for high school football.

The game got under way without incident. Joppatowne made it look easy on the game's first drive, scoring eight quick points.

Edgewood was equally impressive with its first possession, also moving right down the field to put points on the scoreboard.

The game continued along to the half with good clean football on the field and I believe pretty good behavior in the stands behind me.

In the third quarter, something changed.

Less than five minutes into the third quarter the game saw its first personal foul penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Edgewood lineman bowled over a Joppatowne lineman on a offsides infraction.

The play was handled properly as a personal foul, whether intentional or not.

It wasn't long after that, the unfortunate side of sports reared its ugly head. The play was innocent, in fact a 5-yard loss for the Rams.

Sadly though, something else went on that evolved into a fight not 35 feet from where I was standing. Before the officials could get in and separate, punches were being thrown.

Plenty of players became involved, but thankfully just the players who were on the field. Some of those involved were doing so in a good way and a few others were involved for a different reason. You know who you are and some of you can be proud and others embarrassed.

It took 15 minutes or so to get the whole situation ironed out. Once the officials did, four players were ejected from the game, two from each side. The game now had five personal fouls.

It wasn't long after play resumed that I heard a rumble from behind me. I looked and saw a large number of young people running toward the bathroom and concession stand building.

Following closely behind, several sheriff deputies and state police officers were on their way to deal with whatever was about to happen. Plenty of youngsters came running back toward the stands a few seconds later. I think the word might have come down among that pack of people.

Thankfully, there were no further problems on the field or off. The police presence I walked past to get to my car was impressive to say the least.

A bad situation with potential to get much worse was controlled on and off the field. Congrats and thanks to all involved.