MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Supreme Court removed a high school football team from the state playoffs on the eve of the first round.
The justices upheld an Alabama High School Athletic Association decision ordering Class 6A Clay-Chalkville, which plays in the highest classification, to forfeit nine wins for using an ineligible player.
Three lower courts had issued rulings on behalf of either Clay-Chalkville or its replacement, Gadsden City, before the Supreme Court’s final decision Thursday.
The playoffs begin Friday night and Gadsden City plays at Mountain Brook.
The AHSAA had ordered Clay-Chalkville to forfeit the wins for violation of an eligibility ruling related to suspensions. The violation involved a player who transferred to the school.
