LOCUST GROVE, Okla. — A Locust Grove High School boys soccer home win April 15 was marred by claims of racism and even assault by parents of players.
Despite a late scuffle of words between players, the match finished a 1-0 win for the Pirates over Daniel Webster High School of Tulsa.
But that scuffle continued after the game, witnesses told 2 News, and members of Webster's team allege the other side's parents reacted with an assault and anti-immigrant insults.
"We have players here who have families who are immigrants," Webster team captain Xavier Escareno told 2 News the next day. "We have players who are immigrants, too. So they take it really personally when they hear those sort of words said to them."
Escareno said the initial confrontation just before the end of the game involved a Locust Grove player calling his teammate a common anti-Mexican slur.
The talking continued after the final whistle when the teams left the field, he said.
A referee report quotes Webster's coach complaining that parents from Locust Grove got involved and laid hands on at least one Webster player. Escareno said that's not all that happened.
"There was a mom that...didn't hit but she kind of was trying to like, hold (my teammate) back, but the second (parent) that I had seen, like right in front of me - she just aggressively (pushed my teammate). It was a loud smack to the face when she pushed him," he said.
"After we had separated our players, the referee came and talked to me. As I'm talking to the ref, parents behind there are telling us like, 'Go back to your country,' all that stuff."
Tulsa Public Schools told 2 News it's still gathering more details.
"We are aware of an incident that occurred last night during competition in Locust Grove. We take the safety of our players and fans with the upmost (sic) seriousness and expect all Tulsa Public Schools athletes, staff, and fans to be treated with the same respect we expect of our own teams. The district will address the situation as we learn more."
Locust Grove Public Schools Superintendent Dan Stokes said on the phone his district is investigating the incident but wouldn't elaborate further.
Locust Grove shared this statement on April on 18:
Locust Grove Public Schools is aware of an incident that occurred at a home soccer game on 4-15-25. LGPS takes any complaints of discrimination-racial or otherwise— with the utmost seriousness. The matter is under investigation by the school and the appropriate authorities, and we continue to work closely with the Mayes County Sheriff's Department. Disciplinary actions have been taken against any players or spectators found to be involved in this situation. Student safety continues to be Locust Grove Public Schools' utmost concern. We are continuing to investigate the situation thoroughly to ensure all facts are revealed and appropriate actions are taken.
Mayes County Sheriff's Office told 2 News it contracts deputies for LGPS to serve as school resource officers and to patrol outside of school hours, but Maj. Ron Howell said deputies are only present for non-football sporting events on an as-need basis.
Witnesses told 2 News there was not a police presence at the match.
The sheriff's office confirmed it also is investigating complaints of an assault.
"We wanna make sure we're all on the same sheet of music before we start you know, putting someone on blast," Maj. Howell said. "Because we've got to get all the facts and circumstances for certain."
OSSAA told 2 News it was still receiving reports from the match but added that any activity off the field would be considered outside of its discipline.
There have also been angry reactions online about claims from the incident. Witnesses said there was at least one amateur video taken, but 2 News has yet to get permission to access it.
Escareno said what his team allegedly experienced has left them shaken.
"We went over there to try to have fun with it, try to win," Escareno said. "We left with the opposite of the ending that we wanted."
Multiple Locust Grove High School parents messaged 2 News after the original story's airing, stating that 2 News didn't show the whole truth and that they want to set the record straight.
2 News planned to meet with multiple parents on April 18, but was told by one they were stuck at work and couldn't speak.
Another parent planned to come forward but said they had to back out, citing the advice of their lawyer.
They also denied any racist insults were shouted, and that parents only tried to block Webster players from attacking their kids.
2 News was also told more video would be submitted from parents clearing them of any serious wrongdoing, but it has yet to be seen as of April 18.
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