Police investigating possible embezzlement in youth football league

GRANITE FALLS, Wash. -- Across the country, fall means football. But now one local town is in turmoil over allegations of embezzlement that have sidelined a local squad.

The season started a few weeks ago, and parents and players in Granite Falls thought everything was OK. That is, until parents learned the team’s insurance policy was canceled for non-payment; without it, the kids can’t play.

Two days ago, dozens of families with kids on the team received an e-mail saying games were suspended indefinitely.

“It’s like the 'Bad News Bears' without the good ending,” football mom Stacey McBride said.

McBride added that she didn’t worry when new equipment wasn’t coming in on schedule, but she never expected this.

The team is missing about $10,000, and now there are fears one of the coaches may be responsible. Granite Falls police are investigating.

But the real losers are the 60 players now left in a lurch.

Normally, the Tigers play at Granite Falls High School. However, without insurance, Saturday’s game, and all future contests, are canceled.

“It’s been really hard,” said McBride. “It’s torn the town in half. You have parents who really want to string this coach up and you have parents who have been really good friends with him for a very long time and really want to help him and support him.”

Q13 Fox News showed up at the coach’s house looking for answers and his wife answered the door. She declined to comment.

Parents have planned a meeting at Alfy's Pizza for next Monday night to figure out how to raise enough money to cover insurance and league fees so the kids can get back out on the field.

However, that's going to be a tall order since these families already shelled out $200 each to join the team in the first place.