Youth coach sparks brawl

STOCKTON, Calif. -- An assistant youth football coach was arrested for felony child abuse after allegedly rushing the field and assaulting a boy on the opposing team, police said.

Cory Petero, 36, of Riverbank, turned himself in to Stockton police Saturday night following what witnesses described as a late hit that turned into a brawl, with parents and children from both teams fighting on the field.

Referee Tim Winek said he had just called a penalty on Brian Wood, 13, a Stockton Bears player.

Daniel Champion, who identified himself as Wood's father, told The (Stockton) Record that his son suffered bruises on his stomach and jaw from the assault.

The brawl erupted at around 3:30 p.m. with less than a minute left to play.