Kenwood Continues Investigation of JV Football Team

At least a half a dozen junior varsity football players at were allegedly involved in a “sexual encounter” with a female student on campus last week and led to the team forfeiting Friday’s game against Eastern Tech, Patch has learned.

Kenwood High School administrators are continuing to investigate the alleged incident, first reported by WBAL-TV, to determine whether any other students participated, but also whether others knew of the alleged incident and did not report it.

“School administrators are still trying to sort out all of the details,” Baltimore County Public Schools spokesman Charles Herndon said. “Other disciplinary actions could still take place in what we consider to be an isolated incident.

"However, it appears that Kenwood’s principal, Paul Martin, took quick and decisive measures once he was made aware of the situation.”

Martin to parents and students on the JV football team detailing the alleged incident and the actions taken by the school.

In addition, the letter — a copy of which was obtained by Patch — read, “any attempts to contact the young lady, to continue discussing the situation, and/or making threats towards students who may or may not have been involved in the investigation will not be tolerated.”

Herndon said the students allegedly involved — all ninth or tenth graders — do not appear to be the targets of any criminal investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department. He added that the investigation and the punishments are being handled internally within the Essex school.

“We have made it known that this is inappropriate behavior and not becoming of a Kenwood student, or any other students in Baltimore County, for that matter,” Herndon said.

Herndon said that none of the players allegedly involved in the incident were on the varsity team and that the varsity football game at  against at CCBC Essex will take place.

Herndon also said that no decision has been made yet regarding the remainder of the junior varsity season, although it appears unlikely that it would be cancelled.

Rumors of the alleged incident have spread throughout the school community, upsetting many, including those on the football team. Many in the school community believe that the actions of a handful of students placed Kenwood, which has nearly 2,000 students, in a negative light.

Two football players spoke with Patch on the condition of anonymity  due to the sensitive nature of the alleged incident.

“I think the decisions of my peers have affected not just the football team but the whole student body,” said a senior defensive end on the varsity football team. “They don’t realize how something you think is fun or exciting can ruin you in the long run.”

Another Kenwood football player, a senior linebacker, told Patch those involved in the alleged incident need to be held accountable for their actions.

"The bad decisions the JV players made just came back to bite them,” the second player said. “They didn’t think it would come out like this, but they have to understand there are consequences to everything.

"It’s better they experienced it young than when they got older"