Freedom's appeal of ruling on ejections denied

Patriots are out of state football playoffs, will play last game on Friday at Patton

By: Record Staff | Hickory Daily Record
Published: October 27, 2011

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association press release regarding Freedom High’s appeal on its football playoff eligibility:

CHAPEL HILL -- The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Executive Committee heard an appeal from Freedom High on Thursday morning, contesting a decision made according to NCHSAA Handbook policy about ejections from a football game last week between Freedom and Chase.

The appeal was heard by conference telephone call with the Freedom representatives at the NCHSAA offices in Chapel Hill.

The Executive Committee deliberated after hearing the Freedom appeal, but upheld the decision that there were five ejections for Freedom according to NCHSAA rules related to fighting. That number would put Freedom over the allowable limit of ejections for fighting to be able to participate in postseason play.

Since Freedom appealed to the Executive Committee outside the regular Board of Directors scheduled meetings, the school has exhausted its options for appeal.

“Based on the reports that we received and the presentation by Freedom, the committee felt there wasn't a clear, consistent picture that would warrant overturning the previous ruling,” said NCHSAA commissioner Davis Whitfield. “There were a number of interpretations provided during the appeal, and based on the information presented, the committee felt like the prudent course of action was to uphold the NCHSAA decision.”