In what seems to be a recurring theme nationally, a California team now will have to give up its share of a league title for using an ineligible player.
The California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section ruled Monday that
Canyon (Canyon Country, Calif.) must forfeit a win against
Golden Valley (Santa Clarita, Calif.) because of the violation, according to
The Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
The forfeit loss dropped Canyon to 8-2 overall and 3-2 in the Foothill League, awarding the outright championship to
Valencia (Calif.). Valencia went 4-1 in league play.
Canyon still will be in the playoffs, though. The Cowboys open against Palmdale on Friday in the
CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoff brackets.
According to newspaper, paperwork on the ineligible player - ironically a transfer from Golden Valley - had not been completed. It had been submitted to the CIF-SS, but the transfer had not yet been approved by the governing body. Canyon self-reported the violation.
"I'm disappointed because you do the best you can to stand by the kids, to give the kids an opportunity to play," Canyon football coach and athletic director Rich Gutierrez told The Signal. "Sadly, in this respect you get penalized for being a good sportsman."
According to the newspaper, it was the only game the ineligible player participated in during the season, and he was inserted into the contest late in what had been a 48-21 victory by Canyon.
Of note, the forfeit allowed Golden Valley to snap a 28-game losing streak in the Foothill League play.