A Friday night soccer match between Brookings High School and Rapid City Central turned violent when a Central player shoved sophomore Kyler Soost to the ground, kicked him in the back of the head and neck, and struck him with five punches.
The Attack on the Field
Soost, a key midfielder for the Brookings Bobcats, remained on the field for a few moments before being escorted off, and while he escaped serious injury, the incident left coaches, teammates and spectators stunned.
The assault was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, amassing more than 18 million views by Monday morning, igniting a wave of public outrage.
SDHSAA's Immediate Response
Dan Swartos, executive director of the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA), condemned the attack as unacceptable and announced that the association would work with both schools to address the matter under their discipline policies.
The SDHSAA outlined a tiered penalty structure: a standard ejection carries a one‑game suspension and mandatory sportsmanship course, while aggravated assault could trigger a 90‑day suspension and a referral to law enforcement, whereas simple assault would result in a five‑to‑ten‑day out‑of‑school suspension for a first offense.
Brookings High School's Position
Rapid City Central issued a public statement reiterating its commitment to respect and sportsmanship, pledging to follow the school’s disciplinary protocols, while Brookings High School and its coaching staff declined to comment on the player’s condition or any potential suspensions.
Social Media Reaction
The incident has reignited broader conversations about safety in high school sports, with many calling for stricter enforcement of conduct codes and greater oversight of on‑field behavior, as the Bobcats prepare for upcoming matches against Sioux Falls Roosevelt on August 18 and Mitchell on August 25.