The Florida High School Athletic Association said Wednesday the Pahokee football team will forfeit its Sept. 11 win over Inlet Grove for using an academically ineligible player. Pahokee beat Inlet Grove 45-0 in that game.
The Blue Devils had previously forfeited their Sept. 25 win against Cardinal Newman.
The same academically ineligible player played in both games, the FHSAA said. Pahokee self-reported both violations. Here’s more on that story.
The forfeit would be Inlet Grove’s first win of the season. The Hurricanes lost their first eight games.
The two losses drop Pahokee from 5-0 to 3-2 in District 7-2B. The Blue Devils would make the playoffs
if they win at Fort Lauderdale-University this week and be eliminated from the playoffs if they lose. The district title is still in play, but unlikely. Pahokee would need the help of a significant upset to win its fourth straight district championship.
Fortunately for the Blue Devils, this is a big district and they had not lost any other games. If Pahokee had been playing in a three- or four-team district like many other schools, it would likely have been knocked out of playoff contention by these forfeits. Here are the updated standings in District 7-2B, factoring in Pahokee forfeits to Cardinal Newman and Inlet Grove:
CLASS 2B, DISTRICT 7
Standings:
North Broward Prep, 4-1 (loss to Pahokee)
University, 4-1 (loss to North Broward Prep)
Pahokee, 3-2 (losses to Cardinal Newman and Inlet Grove)
Pine Crest, 3-3
Cardinal Newman, 2-3
Coral Springs Charter, 1-4
Inlet Grove, 1-4
The only three teams with a shot at the post-season are Coconut Creek-North Broward Prep, University and Pahokee. As mentioned, if Pahokee loses, the Blue Devils are eliminated.
North Broward Prep is guaranteed a playoff berth and clinches the district crown with a win over Coral Springs Charter this week. If Pahokee and North Broward Prep both win, North Broward Prep finishes 5-1; Pahokee and University finish 4-2. Pahokee would have the head-to-head advantage over University and claim the runner-up slot for a playoff berth.
The Blue Devils’ only hope of winning the district is if they win and North Broward Prep loses. If that happens, North Broward Prep, Pahokee and University would each be 4-2. Pahokee would have wins over both teams in the tie and get the district title. North Broward Prep would then take the runner-up slot because of its win over University.
It should be noted that Pahokee has destroyed University in each of the past two post-seasons. The Blue Devils won 45-6 in last year’s regional semifinals and 62-0 in the 2007 first-round game.