A decision on whether Mountain View must forfeit its Oct. 10 football victory against Heritage will be learned later this week after it was discovered the Thunder used an ineligible player in its first win of the season.
Cale Piland, athletic director for Evergreen Public Schools, said Monday that Mountain View school officials misinterpreted the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s ejection policy that led to an ineligible Thunder player participating in a 21-0 victory over Heritage last Thursday at McKenzie Stadium.
The Mountain View player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half of a 36-33 loss to Prairie on Oct. 4 played in the second half the following week against Heritage. The WIAA’s ejection policy states any player or coach ejected by game officials are to serve a one-game suspension. Additionally, new this year, ejected athletes are to complete an online sportsmanship course before returning to play.
The WIAA states the use of an ineligible player results in a forfeiture of contests in which the athlete took part, according to its policy. However, schools may appeal a forfeiture based on an ineligible player’s contribution to a team’s victory. Piland confirmed that Mountain View self-reported the eligibility error to the 4A/3A Greater St. Helens League, and appealed the forfeiture. The 4A/3A GSHL and WIAA District 4 will make a ruling on whether to uphold or overturn the forfeit by Thursday.
On Friday, Mountain View (1-5 overall, 1-1 league) hosts Shelton, and Heritage (3-3, 0-2) travels to Kelso.
