2005_12_01_archive

A season ends early

There's so much about this story that's yet to be told, but here's my

column that appeared in Saturday's Star...

Friday was one of the most interesting -- and darkest -- days in the

history of Cleveland County high school football.

It was supposed to be a day of celebration, as everyone from Shelby

and Crest woke up planning to play for the right to compete for a

state championship.

Sadly, things didn't turn out that way.

Crest reported itself to the North Carolina State High School Athletic

Association Friday for using an ineligible player, an offense that

resulted in Crest forfeiting all of their games for the 2005 season --

including the 4A Western Final game against Greensboro Grimsley.

Unfortunately, the fact that the folks at Crest High didn't try to

sweep it under the rug doesn't change the NCHSAA's ruling. Rules are

rules, now matter the intent.

It's an absolute shame.

It's a shame because there are 64 other players on the Chargers'

playoff roster who did nothing wrong who won't get the chance to play

on high school football's biggest stage.

It's a shame because 25 of those kids are seniors who will never again

pull on a Crest jersey.

It's a shame that those players, the 11 coaches and all the trainers

have been busting their rear ends since the dog days of summer and

their season had to end on a conference call, instead of on a football

field.

It's a shame because thousands of students, parents and fans invested

time and money to plan a trip that isn't going to happen.

It's a shame because Greensboro Grimsley won't get the chance to test

itself against a Crest team that was on a real roll, and it's a shame

that the Whirlies, and the state, will miss out on all that gate

money.

The real shame of it all is that most of the people I just mentioned

had nothing to do with a player ending up ineligible.

Someone is to blame, though. Predictably, there wasn't much talking

going on at Crest High School Friday. I can understand that.

Still, there needs to be an inquiry as to how and why this happened.

Because right now, there are way more questions than answers.

Was it an oversight? An honest mistake? A cover-up gone wrong?

Who found it? A teacher? A coach? A parent?

The problem here is the lack of information. When something like this