Whitehaven football forfeits three wins, still eligible for TSSAA football playoffs
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Whitehaven football has forfeited three games for the use of an ineligible player, according to a TSSAA letter sent to the school that was obtained by The Commercial Appeal on Nov. 13.
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According to the letter, Whitehaven "allowed a student to participate in three contests as an ineligible player because of the terms of a court-ordered restraining order."
The Tigers forfeited games against Munford, Fairley and Houston. All three were non-region contests and while Whitehaven's record falls from 8-2 to 5-5, its TSSAA football playoff status remains intact because the games forfeited did not change region standings. Whitehaven travels to Ravenwood (9-2) for a Class 6A second-round game on Nov. 13.
TSSAA Bylaws Article Ill Section 13 states: "If a student is ineligible according to TSSAA rules but is permitted to participate in interscholastic competition contrary to such TSSAA rules but in accordance with the terms of a court restraining order or injunction against his/her school and/or the TSSAA, and that injunction is subsequently voluntarily vacated, stayed, reversed or finally determined by the courts that injunctive relief is not or was not justified or expires without further judicial determination, those actions stipulated in Section 12 and 14 shall be taken."
The letter did not detail what that restraining-order was for, but that it has expired and the player in question is ineligible for the remainder of the season.
The school was also fined $300, as required by TSSAA bylaws in Article III, Section 14 that states, in part "The penalty for playing an ineligible contestant shall be $50.00 per contest at the varsity level and $25.00 per contest below the varsity level, with a maximum fine of $250.00, provided it is voluntarily reported by the school, which is in violation, to the Executive Director. If it is not voluntarily reported by the school to the Executive Director, the penalty shall be $100.00 per contest at the varsity level and $50.00 per contest below the varsity level."
Whitehaven opened the season with a loss to Ensworth on Aug. 21, but followed with Week 2 and 3 wins against Houston and Fairley. It played Munford on Sept. 25. The Tigers entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from Region 8-6A, just behind Southwind. They enter the second-round against Ravenwood on a three-game win streak.
Whitehaven coach Stan Collins returned from retirement last March to take over the football program after the retirement of coach Rodney Saulsberry Sr. on Jan. 6. Saulsberry joined the Memphis football coaching staff. Collins coached Whitehaven from 1979-1996. The Tigers' 28-13 win over Bartlett in the first-round on Nov. 6 was Collins' first playoff win in 30 years.
Reach The Tennessean's high school sports editor, George Robinson, at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Whitehaven football forfeits three wins, still eligible for TSSAA football playoffs