Cops in this Bay Area enclave are investigating horrific allegations of hazing and sexual battery involving members of the reigning state champion El Cerrito High School football team.
El Cerrito, which won a CIF state championship last December, could see police arrest 22 current and former students “suspected of involvement” after a “comprehensive investigation” revealed wide-ranging misconduct.
The El Cerrito Police Department said they have discovered disturbing video evidence and have conducted extensive interviews with victims, school staff, and witnesses about the incidents.
Some of the allegations include “battery, sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, dissuading a victim, conspiracy, and stalking” that occurred between September 2024 and 2026.
Police worked alongside school officials at the West Contra Costa Unified School District as part of the investigation.
“The investigation remains active, and detectives are continuing to evaluate evidence. The Police Department anticipates making multiple arrests as the investigation progresses,” El Cerrito police wrote.
School officials have condemned the conduct and announced that the winning football program has been suspended.
“No child should ever experience what our students have described,” West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said in a news release.
“While we have worked to focus on accountability for the actions of individual players up until this point, new information has led to new decisions. We must now make the very tough call to immediately suspend the El Cerrito High football program in order to prevent any further harm and restore a safe learning environment for our students,” Cotton added.
The team’s head coach is also being placed on leave “as part of the ongoing investigation process.”
El Cerrito police officials said they will not release additional details to protect juvenile victims’ privacy and to “preserve the integrity of the investigation.”
El Cerrito started the season with a 6-3 record, with a game previously scheduled for this Friday against De Anza High School. The Gauchos had been on a hot streak with three straight wins by a combined score of 117-13.
The city of El Cerrito is in Contra Costa County within the Bay Area.
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