Brockton football players caught with alcohol suspended

BROCKTON -- Three members of the Brockton High School football team have been benched for two of their team’s most important games.

“Teenagers. They don’t think about consequences, they don’t think about risks,” said Susan Szachowicz, Brockton High School principal.

The three players have been suspended for the Thanksgiving Day game and the first playoff game of the season after they were caught with alcohol while in a car.

An employee Costco in Avon called police over the weekend because a black car was ramming into shopping carts in the store parking lot.

Two police cruisers responded and eventually caught up to the car on a nearby street.

Officers reported a strong scent of alcohol coming from the car.

“They were respectful. They were somewhat sketchy about the situation at first, but once they knew they were caught, they came clean,” said Deputy Chief David Martineau, of the Brockton Police Department.

Edward Cassidy, 17, a linebacker on the team, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol. He was arraigned Tuesday.

Samuel Previte, 17, the quarterback, and James McAvoy, 17, the kicker, were also cited for being minors in possession of open containers of alcohol.

A former player, Kevin Gillis, who was a center on the team last year, was also in the car and was cited.

Some parents think the punishment is appropriate.

“If they’re going to go out and drink they shouldn’t be able to do the fun things,” said Lisa Anderson, a parent.

The principal said she is disappointed.

“It hurts. The whole thing hurts. It’s not just about football. What hurts is that these are three fine young men who made a very dumb dangerous choice,” Szachowicz said.

If the team wins their first playoff game, it will be up to the coach if the players will be allowed to play in the Super Bowl game.

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