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NEW: Ohio police start pepper-spraying high school football players after a scuffle broke out following the post-game handshake line. 

Massillon police were seen running onto the field as tensions began heating up. 

Players on the Cardinal Ritter College Prep team, who lost, from St. Louis, Missouri, were sprayed in the face by police. They travelled 500 miles for the game. 

Parents claim there was no fighting; however, police and video footage say otherwise. 

Police said there were "multiple physical altercations" on the field, and the verbal commands they gave to de-escalate were ignored. 

"The Ritter players again charged at Massillon players who were now near the band. This was an unfortunate and difficult situation for officers..." Massillon police said.

"Ultimately, two Massillon police officers deployed pepper spray, which was effective."

It is sad that the coaches/teams/players have to act like that.  I am sure some will be critical of the police but it worked and worked fast.  Who knows what was avoided by using the pepper spray.  At first blush and without knowing anymore details I think the police made a good decision. 

Always unfortunate when these things happen.  

They probably made the right decision.  Unleash some pepper spray and end it now, or try to yell commands, be ignored and have more people (not coaches and players) join the fray and have it escalate further.