TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Chiles High School's lacrosse team has been stripped of its district title and is now barred from playing in postseason after the FHSAA discovered an academically ineligible player was allowed to play.
As reported by multiple media outlets, Chiles Lacrosse has forfeited the District Championship. This season is over for us. pic.twitter.com/ZezlKGdM1C
— Chiles LAX (@Chiles_LAX) April 24, 2018
According to Chiles Athletic Director Mike Eto, the player was academically ineligible to play at the beginning of the season.
The student brought up his grades to above a 2.0 GPA midway through the season, but according to FHSAA policy, even if you bring up your grades, you still have to sit out and are not eligible to play for the rest of the semester.
Eto says Chiles self-reported it to the FHSAA, saying that they played the ineligible player because they misinterpreted the policy.
"The thing I want everyone to understand is that we never wanted to be a dirty or shady team, that in no way shape or form was that ever the scenario," said Chiles head lacrosse coach Chris Anders. "They just misinterpreted the by laws on when he could play again."
Now the team has to forfeit the last five games (the games the student played in) which includes the District Championship.
Winning the District Championship granted them a spot in the postseason, which they now cannot compete in. They beat Maclay, who had won the last six district titles until last week, in that title game.
The Timberwolves will not play Friday in a regional quarterfinal game at Gulf Breeze.
Eto said the penalties will not carry over into next year. Since that Championship game is included in the forfeiture, the lacrosse team's season is now done.
Maclay will not automatically take over the top spot. Instead, Gulf Breeze, who Chiles was set to play, will get a bye week.
"The main thing wanted them to know, no mater how it all happens, it doesn't diminish the time spent the work put in and the lessons learned through the entire year," said Anders. "The seniors that I've coached have left an incredible lasting impression on this team. The work and stuff, those things still count."
