Georgia high school football coach allegedly hits player during game

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An Atlanta-area high school football coach appeared to punch a player during the first quarter of a game on Saturday.

The incident occurred during a game between Benjamin Mays High School and Douglas County High School. The Mays coach appeared to scream at the player on his own team and then appeared to strike the player in the stomach. The player appeared to hunch over after getting hit.

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A football on the sidelines before the start of the game. (Reading Eagle via Getty Images)

An Atlanta Public Schools spokesperson told FOX 5 Atlanta that the coach will be charged with simple battery. The spokesperson said the coach is not a classroom instructor. The coach was relieved of his coaching duties and will face administrative discipline.

The coach was unidentified.

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"The safety and well-being of all APS students remains a high priority for the district and all APS employees are held to the highest standard of conduct and professionalism," a statement to Atlanta News First Read.

The incident appeared to be caught on Peachtree TV.

The issue came about two weeks after an incident took place at a Benjamin Mays High School football scrimmage. 

"Atlanta Public Schools Police is coordinating with Atlanta Police to bolster safety and security measures in and around Lakewood Stadium and Henderson Stadium, in response to a number of fights between groups of students at the conclusion of a scrimmage between two APS high schools at Lakewood last Friday, Aug. 11," officials said.

"A significant presence of APS officers and Zone 3 APD officers were already on site at last week’s scrimmage, due to APS Police receiving a report of possible gun violence prior to the game. Officers secured and cleared the area by 11:30 p.m., and no injuries were reported.

The coach was not immediately identified, but the district says he will be charged.

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The safety and security of students, parents, employees, and other stakeholders attending our events is a top priority for APS and is a shared responsibility. As such, moving forward, along with added security at our stadium sites, parents are asked to either attend games with their children or make sure they are picked up and taken home promptly following the conclusion of a game."