The football season for Antioch High School concluded on a somber note following a hazing scandal that surfaced weeks prior. On the night of November 3, 2023, the fourth-seeded Panthers faced a disappointing 26-15 defeat against the fifth-seeded Ukiah in the North Coast Section’s Division III playoffs. This loss marked the end of a tumultuous season, overshadowed by a disturbing video that emerged on social media, depicting a hazing incident involving team members.
Principal John Jimno and athletic director Brett Dudley, who also serves as the head coach, were present at the game but chose not to comment on the hazing incident or the school’s response. After the loss, Dudley acknowledged the emotional toll the situation had taken on players and staff, stating, “I think the situation has been hard on everyone.”
The controversial video, lasting 34 seconds, showed a teenager on the ground, screaming, as several teammates surrounded him, laughing and pouring liquid over him. The incident drew attention across the high school football community, reaching the ears of the Ukiah head coach, who described it as “unfortunate.” Pat Cruickshank, the NCS commissioner, indicated he had not seen the video but deferred inquiries regarding the tournament seeding to the Antioch school district.
In a letter sent the day after the incident, Jimno informed families that a “significant portion” of the football team participated in the hazing and announced that the team would forfeit its game against Liberty on October 31, 2023. Remarkably, the team returned to play a week later, suffering a substantial defeat of 56-3 against Pittsburg.
On the eve of their playoff game, Jimno communicated additional details in a second letter, noting that an ongoing investigation had identified “many of the players involved” and a coach who may have held supervisory responsibility. Although specific disciplinary actions were not disclosed due to privacy concerns, the entire team participated in a “restorative circle” and received anti-bullying training.
Jimno praised the leadership of some players who recognized the inappropriateness of the incident and came forward to take responsibility. Yet, reactions from supporters varied significantly. Some parents, like Susan Ross, contested the narrative that most of the team was involved, claiming “80 percent of that team was not involved” and asserting that “you’ve got a few bad apples … and that bunch has been removed.”
The Bay Area News Group could not independently verify the details of disciplinary measures, but the Panthers’ roster listed 47 players, with 39 in uniform on game night, including several called up from junior varsity and freshman teams. The sentiment among supporters was mixed, with some believing the forfeiture was an excessive punishment for what they termed “normal football stuff.”
Another parent expressed concern over the incident, acknowledging that the players had crossed a line but felt the school’s response was adequate. He empathized with the victim’s family, stating, “If that was my kid, I would have been at the school (immediately).”
As the season concluded, many expressed a desire to shift focus back to football. The Panthers, who entered the season with a promising record of 7-1, faced a disheartening finish, losing their last three games to end the season at 7-4.
“The backlash is killing the morale; the backlash is killing us as parents,” Ross commented, emphasizing the toll the incident had taken on the young athletes. “They really just want to play their game. Some of these young men are seniors. They might never play football again.”
The emotional weight of the season was evident as players struggled to contain their feelings during Dudley’s address following the game. Antioch had taken the lead in the third quarter, thanks to sophomore quarterback Joshua Mason, who scored two rushing touchdowns. Despite this, the team could not maintain their momentum, allowing Ukiah to score two touchdowns of over 40 yards, ultimately surrendering 14 unanswered points.
“It’s a tough way to end the season,” Dudley reflected. “I’m proud of the kids that I have on my team. We had a very high team GPA this year. I understand how things in the media have been. But I do truly believe that the majority of my team are awesome, wonderful human beings.”
