Three youth football coaches from Carnegie are now facing criminal charges after a violent altercation that erupted during a league game, marking the first such case in the borough’s history.
The Brawl
The fight broke out during a Division II match at Carnegie Elementary School, where third‑ and fourth‑grade players from the Carlynton Little Cougars and the Keystone Oaks teams clashed on the field. According to league officials, DaQuay Canton, coach of the Carlynton Little Cougars, initiated the confrontation and continued to engage despite attempts to intervene.
Police Chief Joseph Kennedy confirmed that Canton has been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and summary harassment, while his counterparts Joseph Kubiak and Frank McGrath, coaches for the Keystone Oaks, each face a single count of disorderly conduct for their involvement in the brawl.
League Investigation
The Steel City Youth Football League promptly ejected the two coaches from the game and placed them on suspension pending an internal investigation, and has subsequently barred all three charged coaches from any league activities until the matter is resolved. In addition, the league suspended five other coaches unrelated to the board’s decision, expanding the scope of the inquiry.
The league’s executive board emphasized that video footage, referee reports and witness statements are being examined, with disciplinary measures ranging from temporary bans to permanent exclusion for anyone found violating the league’s code of conduct. The investigation will be conducted thoroughly, and any further violations could result in lifelong bans.
The incident drew widespread attention after a video posted by Ryan Crux, a father of a Carlynton player, was shared online and quickly attracted international news coverage, highlighting the growing concern over conduct in youth sports.