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Players from the Gwynn Park and Potomac high school football teams finished their game Saturday afternoon and got in line to shake hands. But instead of walking toward opposite ends of the field after the post-game tradition was finished, the players and coaches gathered at midfield.

"This is what it's all about, all of us coming together," Gwynn Park coach Danny Hayes said, addressing the group. "Let's give everyone something positive to talk about now."

As the teams broke their collective huddle, they raised their helmets and shouted, "P.G. County!" It was a sign of unity after a difficult week for Prince George's County football, which found itself in a negative spotlight after an incident at the Oct. 24 Potomac-Crossland game led to the cancellation of Crossland's last two games because of unsportsmanlike conduct by the team.

Referees ended the Potomac-Crossland game in the fourth quarter when a fight broke out between the teams. According to the Prince George's County sheriff's office, deputies pepper sprayed Crossland players who allegedly were attempting to leave the field and reach the Potomac busses in the parking lot. A Crossland player threw a helmet at a Potomac bus before being restrained by members of the Crossland coaching staff, the sheriff's office said.

Acting Sgt. Yakeisha Hines said the older brother of a Crossland player was arrested, and charges included disruption of school activities.

On Tuesday, several Crossland students said they were disappointed about the decision to cancel the remainder of the football season. Several students said the decision reaches beyond just the football team by also limiting activities in the school's marching band, dance group and cheerleaders.

Members of the school's football team said the cancellation of the season effectively ended the football careers of senior players in the school.

"We feel that they didn't have to go that far. They didn't have to cancel it for everyone," said senior linebacker Clarence Boyd, 17. "That's terrible for all of our seniors — we at least wanted to play our last two games."

The incident also led Crossland Principal Charles Thomas to dismiss the team's assistant coaches and to the resignation of head coach Eric Knight, according to an Oct. 28 school system press release.

A staff member who answered the phone at Crossland High said Thomas was not taking calls about the football team and referred a reporter to the school system's communications office. Knight, who retained his position as Crossland's athletic director, declined to comment about his resignation or the dismissal of his assistant coaches.

The dismissal of Crossland's coaching staff has raised questions about who takes responsibility for players' behavior.

Suitland coach Ed Shields, president of the Prince George's County Football Coaches Association, said when he meets with coaches and players he talks about having accountability for one's actions.

"We need to show leadership and guidance because we have some fine young men in the county," Shields said. "You can tell players your expectations are of them and what the consequences of their actions are, but it's up to them to do what needs to be done."

Potomac coach Chris Davidson said he has witnessed how a few players can disrupt games. Last year's meeting between Crossland and Potomac was stopped in the third quarter after on-field skirmishes and trash talking by both teams. Davidson said it is typically a few youths causing most of the problems.

He also said it is unfair that coaches get blamed when things go wrong.

"It's absolutely not fair, but it is what it is," he said. "I always tell the kids that they are an extension of me on the field. We expect the kids to do right even if no coaches are on the field."

Prince George's County Schools Athletic Director Earl Hawkins declined to comment about the dismissal of the Crossland coaching staff or Knight's resignation, but said he wants to improve communication between Crossland and Potomac once a new coaching staff at Crossland is in place.

"We'll have coaches' meetings and take some steps toward some character-building activities in addition to whatever the [Potomac and Crossland] administrations do on their level," he said. "We're definitely looking at some different activities."

Hayes said it is up to coaches, teachers and administrators to help players develop. He said the best way to do that is not by taking everything away from players but by making sure they are being built back up after they are torn down.

He said having an intervention with the players who cause the problems is a way coaches can help.

"What about the kids that do nothing wrong and now have no more football to play?" he said. "Those kids now have nothing to do and could be out on the streets. Hopefully nothing happens to them in the next few weeks. Is that a good way to teach them anything?"