Oscoda, Michigan, Teens Confess to Football Field Toothpick Prank

Five Oscoda, Michigan, teens turned themselves into the Iosco County police recently, confessing to the nationally publicized "toothpick" crimes, in which thousands of toothpicks were placed from one end of the Tawas High School football field, to the other.

Just prior to a scheduled football game between Tawas High School and Alcona High School, officials discovered the toothpicks placed just below visible level in the grass. One student who was "warming up" before the game was the first to notice the toothpicks; having been "poked" by one, as he did his regular warm-up routine. After the student reported the toothpick, it was decided that the field should be searched before continuing with the game. As the search was being conducted thousands more toothpicks were found, placed "end up" in the grass.

Players and officials scoured the field to try to clean up the debris, but eventually it was decided that the game would have to be moved to another location. Other efforts that were made in an attempt to make the field safe before the announcement that the game was to be moved included mowing the field, and attempting to "tamp" down the toothpicks, by walking on the field. Officials, however, were concerned about the possible risk of injury to the players. Alcona High School stepped up to the plate, offering to have the game moved to their field, about 30 miles from Tawas High School. The incident made national news headlines during the week of October 15, 2007.

5 Oscoda area teens, ranging in age from 16 to 17 years, confessed to the crime, which they say was committed in retaliation for other pranks perpetrated by Tawas High School students, toward Oscoda Schools. The 4 girls and one boy who turned themselves in say that they never thought it would get so out of hand. They all state that they had no intention of harming anyone, but thought it would be "funny." They have apologized for the events, and are hopeful that Gary Rapp, the Iosco county prosecutor will not pursue too harsh of penalties in the matter. A meeting between the Tawas and Oscoda area School Boards has also been put in place, to address the problem and try to come to some agreement as to the punishment the teens will have to face.

Most Oscoda residents appeared surprised that the event made national head-line news. "It was just a prank," said one long time Oscoda resident. "Pranks happen between Tawas and Oscoda all the time." An Oscoda area student also commented that she thought the entire thing had been blown way out of proportion by the National media. "They tried to make it look like another Columbine or something. It was just toothpicks, not metal skewers."

A long standing rivalry between Oscoda and Tawas High School football teams has contributed to many pranks on both sides of the fence. The Tawas area High School students have made it a recuring practice to vandalize the Oscoda High school "rock", a school symbol that the Oscoda students take pride in decorating and painting, during their senior year. Other parts of Oscoda school property have been vandalized as well. Several years ago, another prank was taken too far, when the Oscoda High School was broken into, and the heating system vandalized. School was cancelled for several days, while damage repairs were made. "It seems like Tawas and Oscoda are always doing things like this, they have been for years" said one area woman. "No-one meant to hurt anyone, it was just a simple prank."

On Friday, October 19, 2007, Oscoda High School celebrated its annual Homecoming game. Officials, and volunteers, fearing reprisals from Tawas school students for the toothpicking, stood vigil over the Oscoda High School football field through-out the night of the 18th, and day of the 19th. The game took place as scheduled, and so far no further incidents have taken place between the 2 schools.

"Maybe this will finally teach the kids a lesson about vandalizing and playing pranks on one another" said one Oscoda woman. "When the school boards meet this week, I think the whole issue of this rivalry thing should be addressed and dealt with by both schools." Most Oscoda and Tawas area residents seem to agree with this comment.

Sources:
The Oscoda Press, October 17th, October 24th/ www.oscodapress.com
Washington Post- http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Michigan+State+Police?tid=informline
Several Oscoda Community members were asked to comment on this issue
Original Interviews/ Jordan Morris, Oscoda area teen, Tom Erlenbaugh, Jay Orcutt, Joshua Morris, Michelle Smith, Holly Green, (Oscoda residents)
This writer is also a resident of Oscoda, Michigan