Hughson hazing investigation leads to citations

An investigation into a suspected hazing incident involving members of the Hughson High School football team has resulted in criminal citations for two teenagers, the suspension of several players from the team and the apparent removal of the coach.

Stanislaus County sheriff’s detectives launched an investigation after stories of the incident surfaced earlier this month.

Tuesday, deputy Anthony Bejaran, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said the investigation into the Oct. 29 incident had concluded.

“A Sheriff’s Department detective interviewed several people and at the conclusion of his investigation, two 17-year-old males were cited for battery,” Bejaran said. The citations are misdemeanors; authorities did not release the names of those arrested because they are minors.

Hughson reached the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V semifinals with a convincing 41-0 win over four-time defending champ Le Grand last week. The Huskies (8-3) travel to Grass Valley on Friday night, where they will face top-seeded Bear River (9-2).

Reyn Franca, a longtime former Hughson coach, has taken over for George Harp, who guided the team to playoff appearances the previous two seasons. It was not clear Tuesday what Harp’s status was; Harp said he could not comment.

Hughson Unified School District Superintendent Brian Beck confirmed that Franca is serving as coach. Beck said none of the student athletes who had been suspended from the team has been reinstated. He would not say how many players were involved.

Harp did say he was looking forward to this week’s game in Grass Valley.

“We’re all excited here in the community for this playoff game,” he said. “We’re going to go up there and give them a game.”

Asked what he meant by “we,” Harp said, “I’m part of this community.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2014 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Hughson hazing investigation leads to citations."