Authorities are saying that a student spat at the big football game between Argonaut and Amador high schools on Nov. 13 was not gang-related, nor does it appear to have been triggered by the rivalry between the opposing campuses.

The incident occurred at the Argonaut High School football field as hundreds were enjoying the annual football combat between the county's long-standing high school sports rivals. According to Jackson Police Chief Scott Morrison, two female teenagers were drawn back into an argument that had started earlier that day at school. Morrison, whose department investigated the incident, revealed that the girls, one 15-years-old, the other 16, began pushing each other. A friend of one of the girls chose to step into the conflict.

"At some point, punches were thrown," Morrison said. "The 15-year-old had to be taken to the hospital for a possible concussion."

The girl who was determined to have swung in the melee was arrested by Jackson officers.

In recent months, rumors of increased gang activity on Amador's high school campuses have been rampant - particularly among parents. Both Sutter Creek Police Chief Rob Duke and Amador District Attorney Todd Riebe have indicated to the Ledger Dispatch that they are having their respective agencies receive new training and intelligence regarding gang activity.

Morrison, whose department has dealt with gang-related issues on numerous occasions in the last year, said the incident at the Big Game was not something parents should be concerned about in the context of gang activity.

"This was just a personal issue between a few students that resulted in a problem that night," Morrison observed. "It's not gang-related, and it doesn't appear to have anything to do with the rivalry between the schools either. Because all of the individuals involved are juveniles, the matter has been turned over to the county probation department."

The Amador County District Attorney's Office is also reviewing the case.