The playground at the Quince Haven neighborhood in North Potomac was vandalized with pro-Sherwood High School and anti-Quince Orchard High School sayings Friday night.
The schools faced off in a football game at Quince Orchard Friday night, which Quince Orchard won 21-9.
The vandals spray painted benches, swings and slides with "Q-O Sucks," "Sherwood Rox," a racial slur and other terms and drawings.
"A friend of mine who parked near our playground saw the five young men spray painting," said Kelly Ryan, president of the Quince Haven Housing Association. "When he asked what they were doing, they ran off and he couldn't get a description."
Montgomery County police confirmed the vandalism, but several spokespeople could not to provide details.
A box marked field paint and empty cans of white and orange spray paint were found Friday night near the vandalized playground, Ryan said.
Quince Orchard High School Principal Carole Working and Sherwood Principal William Gregory found out about Friday's vandalism Monday. They are conducting investigations and are working with county police.
"I was shocked that something happened in the community," Gregory said. "I know the two schools have a spirited football rivalry, but it's really a shame this happened."
Several Quince Orchard parents called to ask if anyone was caught, as did several members of the Quince Haven community, Working said.
"They have a nice playground for the children in the community," she said. "I'm sorry it was ruined and now they can't use it."
The community has spent more than $50,000 on the playground within the last year to install lights, swings and slides and other children's rides, Ryan said. Benches were installed Nov. 4 and the walkways were repaved in October, Ryan said.
"We spent so much money on our playground," Ryan said. "We want to get to the bottom of this."