Three youth football coaches face criminal charges following a massive on-field brawl during a game in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, according to the Carnegie Police Department. The altercation took place on August 29, 2026, during the final minutes of a game at Honus Wagner Football Field between the Carlynton and Keystone Oaks youth programs, which feature 8- and 9-year-old third and fourth-grade students.
Police Charge Three Coaches Following Viral Youth Football Brawl
Carnegie Police Chief Jeffrey L. Kennedy announced the charges, stating that video footage showed Carlynton head coach Dequay Canton appearing to initiate the conflict and continuing to fight even after referees and other individuals attempted to calm him down. The criminal complaint alleges that Canton threw punches that could have caused substantial harm and serious inconvenience.
Police charged Canton, 24, with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and a summary count of harassment. Two Keystone Oaks coaches involved in the fight—identified as Frank McGrath, 37, and Joseph Kubiak, 35—were charged by summons with disorderly conduct and harassment. Kubiak serves as the assistant to the superintendent for operations for the Keystone Oaks School District. School Board President Emily Snyder issued a statement noting that while the incident occurred outside of his professional duties, the district takes the matter seriously and is investigating his involvement.
Video Captures Escalation as Spectators Look On
The incident was captured on video by Ryan Crux, whose 9-year-old son plays for the Carlynton Little Cougars D2 team. The footage quickly spread on social media and received national attention. At the time of the confrontation, Keystone Oaks led Carlynton 7-0 with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
According to the criminal complaint and video evidence, Canton was seen yelling toward players, referees, and Keystone Oaks coach Frank McGrath. McGrath approached Canton and pushed him, prompting Canton to swat at him. As the confrontation escalated, more Keystone Oaks coaches entered the field. Kubiak ran toward Canton, who responded by tackling him to the grass as the two began trading punches while bystanders watched and called out for others to watch the kids. By the time police arrived at the field before 6 p.m., the fight had concluded and people were leaving the stadium.
League and Team Disciplinary Actions
In response to the incident, the Steel City Youth Football League—which operates the independent youth league—announced that two coaches removed from the game were placed on indefinite leave while league officials conduct an investigation. Additionally, the Carlynton and Keystone Oaks programs independently suspended five total coaches involved in the clash. Steel City Youth Football League stated that its ongoing inquiry includes reviewing video footage, referee reports, and witness statements, and may expand to include additional personnel, coaches, or spectators.
Meanwhile, Ryan Crux, the parent who recorded and shared the viral video, received a Notice of Permanent Removal on Tuesday, banning him from all Steel City Youth Football League events. The notice cited previous verbal warnings concerning his conduct at the practice field, interactions with program individuals, public social media activity, and circumstances surrounding the game incident.
Coaching Statements and Allegations
Following the incident, Dequay Canton defended his actions in statements, claiming that he lost his cool after players came to him in tears alleging that Keystone Oaks players directed racial slurs at them and that referees failed to address it. Canton stated that he was mobbed and experienced fight or flight,
adding that he is not apologetic for standing up for his players. Chief Kennedy noted that his department had not yet found anyone to corroborate the claims of racial slurs, and the investigation remains ongoing. Attorney information for the charged coaches was not immediately available.
