Reedsburg Football Team Amish : In a shocking turn of events, the Reedsburg High School football team finds itself embroiled in controversy after several players were implicated in a series of harassments targeting a local Amish community in Sauk County, Wisconsin. As a result, the School District of Reedsburg has canceled the team’s opening two games of the season, sending ripples through the community and raising questions about the conduct of student-athletes.
Allegations Surface: Harassment of the Amish Community
The controversy began to unfold on the night of August 11, when deputies from the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department were patrolling the La Valle area in response to multiple reports of harassment from the local Amish community. These reports detailed a disturbing pattern of behavior, including fireworks being set off near homes, bright lights being shined at residences, and individuals knocking on doors and windows late at night.
At approximately 10:19 p.m., deputies stopped a diesel truck “rolling coal” and a sedan trailing behind it. The juvenile passengers in the truck appeared visibly nervous, leading deputies to question them about their activities. A search of the truck revealed bottle rockets, a smoke bomb, and a black face mask—items that matched the descriptions provided by the Amish community in their harassment reports.
Peer Pressure and Easy Targets: The Role of Juveniles
The incident report, obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, sheds light on the involvement of nine juveniles, some of whom are members of the Reedsburg High School football team. The report indicates that the juveniles were aware of the Amish community’s lack of surveillance cameras, making them “an easy target” for their disruptive activities. One juvenile even admitted to being “peer pressured” into participating in the harassment.
The investigation by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department substantiated several of the reported activities, including the use of air horns outside residences, shining lights at homes, and knocking on exterior windows during the night. However, other rumored behaviors were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated.
School District Responds: Football Games Canceled
In response to the allegations, the School District of Reedsburg released a statement on August 27, expressing deep disappointment over the involvement of students in the harassment incidents. The district emphasized that not all members of the football program were involved but acknowledged that the actions of a few had led to the cancellation of the varsity team’s first two games of the season, against River Valley on August 23 and DeForest on August 30.
“The behavior alleged is inconsistent with our values in the District, and it is not a reflection of our school community as a whole,” the district’s statement read. The district also clarified that it would not publicly comment on disciplinary actions taken against the students, in accordance with state and federal laws.
Impact on the Community and the Team
The cancellation of the football games is a significant consequence for a team that has already struggled on the field, finishing last season with a 1-8 overall record and 0-7 in the Mississippi Valley Conference. The allegations have cast a shadow over the program and sparked discussions about the responsibilities of student-athletes both on and off the field.
Reedsburg, a town located about 16 miles southwest of Wisconsin Dells, is now grappling with the fallout from this incident. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community values and the potential consequences of peer pressure and poor decision-making among young people.
As the investigation continues and the community reflects on these events, the hope is that lessons will be learned, and steps will be taken to prevent such behavior in the future.
