It hasn’t been a great year for East Arkansas football programs where the state playoffs are concerned.
A few weeks ago, a bus accident ended Helena-West Helena’s run in the Class 4A bracket, and now another team has seen its run come to an end due to a technicality.
The Arkansas Activities Association announced on Thursday that the Earle Bulldogs has agreed to forfeit the entire 2017 player due to the use of an ineligible player. Earle had just beaten the Salem Greyhounds on Friday to advance to the state semi-finals and travel to Foreman for the chance to go to the championship.
“We are grateful to Earle High School for its integrity and honesty while dealing with a sensitive issue,” AAA Executive Director Lance Taylor said.
Taylor indicated the district had self-reported what is considered a violation of AAA rules and took immediate action.
But now, the ineligible player issue has sunk their season. The Salem Greyhounds, who had already hung up their equipment and headed for the basketball gym will now throw their program back together and head for Southwest Arkansas next Friday night.
The other implication is that Earle is the home to the number one football recruit in the state, Gerry Bohannon, whose season ends the heels of announcing he had received a scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina on Wednesday.
It is a sad way to end the season, but rules are rules.