It still angers me that the depth and effect of one parents irresponsibility, and the Allegany County BOE refusal to do a proper check on something that most people in 2 states and 3 counties already knew. The MPSSAA total disregard for all the teams, schools, student bodies, bands, cheerleaders, and parents that has been affected by their decision. If FH or the ACPS are not at fault, then why are so many paying the price for ONE.
I agree with you but you also bring up a point that kind of argues against your own position. If most people in 2 states and 3 counties knew then how did not one person associated with Fort Hill, coaches, teachers, students...stop to think that maybe, just maybe something wasn't right and they should step forward and report it to the powers that be. I get that it's the BOE who is ultimately responsible but they didn't lie on the paperwork and I doubt they have investigative teams hunting down would be liars who send their kids to schools they don't belong in. Then it goes to the next level and I just have a hard time believing that ignorance is an acceptable excuse, even if it's not your job to question or inquire. Somebody knew, maybe a lot of somebodies, and they ignored it. The rule is the rule, and unless somebody makes a strong case for changing it you have to comply or pay the penalty.
Unfortunately for FH it doesn't really matter what the school knew. The ACPS BOE determines eligibility. When you get right down to it, if you are eligible to attend the school, you are eligible to play. The coaching staffs only recourse may have been to cut him from the team, (may have caused a problem if he was the only player cut), but they can't not let him try out. Again eligibility is determined by BOE. The administration can't turn down his enrollment. Got to remember most think he was ineligible to play football, he was really ineligible to attend FH. My spidey sense tell me that Alkire didn't play him in the first game, because he wanted reassurance from BOE that everything was in correct order. My senses also tell me that FH coaching staff was never comfortable with the situation and did report it to the powers to be. You are correct about rules being rules. My anger comes from all the people paying the price for something they had no control over, including Dunbar having to play on the road, also Alco having the possible path to the semis that Northern had. The forfiets created seeding problems for many teams throughout the state that had no involvement in the situation. So with rules being rules, they are usually created to keep things fair. I'm just not sure that everyone got a fair shake in this deal. Unfortunate for many.
