Mountain View’s football 21-0 victory over Heritage will stand

WIAA District 4 officials Thursday upheld the decision made by the 4A/3A Greater St. Helens League that reinstates Mountain View’s 21-0 victory from last week’s 3A GSHL football contest against Heritage. 

On Wednesday, 3A GSHL athletic directors voted in favor of Mountain View keeping its first win of the season based on reviewing game-film evidence of an ineligible player’s contribution to the Thunder’s victory over the Timberwolves on Oct. 10. WIAA District 4, at its monthly meeting Thursday, supported the league’s findings, said Cale Piland, Evergreen Public Schools athletic director. 

Following Mountain View’s victory last Thursday at McKenzie Stadium, the game defaulted to a Mountain View forfeit after school officials self-reported the use of an ineligible player who participated in the game. 

Earlier this week, Piland said Mountain View administration misinterpreted the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s ejection policy that states any player or coach ejected by game officials is to serve a one-game suspension. Additionally, new this year, ejected athletes must complete an online sportsmanship course before returning to play. 

The Thunder player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half of a 36-33 loss to Prairie on Oct. 4 played in the second half against Heritage on Oct. 10. By WIAA rule, the use of an ineligible player results in an automatic forfeiture of contests in which the athlete took part. 

However, WIAA rules state schools may appeal a forfeiture based on an ineligible player’s contribution to their team’s victory. By doing so, a school must provide evidence the contest would have been won without that player’s participation. Piland confirmed Mountain View appealed the forfeiture, citing the ineligible player’s minimal contribution in the victory.  

Mountain View’s record stands at 1-5 overall and 1-1 in league ahead of Friday’s game hosting Shelton. Heritage (3-3, 0-2) travels to Kelso on Friday.