CEDARVILLE, Ark. -
When a judge put the brakes on post-season play for 3A schools, it caught many students around our area by surprise.
The Cedarville Pirates were scheduled to take on Glen Rose High School near Malvern in the first round of the 3A playoffs Friday night. But when they came to school, the players learned they wouldn't be hitting the field that night because of a court order that put the playoffs on hold.
"We were all ready to play today, but at the same time we get another week to prepare for Glen Rose," said senior Colton Henry.
"It's week 10, everybody's beat up and everything from all the games," agreed senior Chris Kapenski. "It gives us another week to heal up and get ready."
Word first came out Thursday night that a circuit judge in Russellville had verbally approved a request from Lamar High School to stop the playoffs. Lamar filed the injunction after losing an appeal with the Arkansas Athletics Association, which had stripped the school of its conference wins after a player was deemed ineligible late in the season.
The order was signed Friday, and school superintendent Roy Hester said they're ready to fight for their school's right to play in the post-season.
"We want our record restored back to its original and that our players get to go and play in the playoffs like they earned," Hester said.
Cedarville's seniors have competed in the playoffs for the last two years, and say they're hopeful that they'll take the field again before they graduate.
"They won't shut down the playoffs, that'd be ridiculous," said senior Michael McCollum.
Cedarville's football team didn't have practice today, but they will next week to stay in top shape in case they are allowed to play in the playoffs.
"I think we'll be back at it next Friday, I'm hoping at least," said Henry. "I hope it doesn't drag out any longer than that."
The Cedarville Pirates were scheduled to take on Glen Rose High School near Malvern in the first round of the 3A playoffs Friday night. But when they came to school, the players learned they wouldn't be hitting the field that night because of a court order that put the playoffs on hold.
"We were all ready to play today, but at the same time we get another week to prepare for Glen Rose," said senior Colton Henry.
"It's week 10, everybody's beat up and everything from all the games," agreed senior Chris Kapenski. "It gives us another week to heal up and get ready."
Word first came out Thursday night that a circuit judge in Russellville had verbally approved a request from Lamar High School to stop the playoffs. Lamar filed the injunction after losing an appeal with the Arkansas Athletics Association, which had stripped the school of its conference wins after a player was deemed ineligible late in the season.
The order was signed Friday, and school superintendent Roy Hester said they're ready to fight for their school's right to play in the post-season.
"We want our record restored back to its original and that our players get to go and play in the playoffs like they earned," Hester said.
Cedarville's seniors have competed in the playoffs for the last two years, and say they're hopeful that they'll take the field again before they graduate.
"They won't shut down the playoffs, that'd be ridiculous," said senior Michael McCollum.
Cedarville's football team didn't have practice today, but they will next week to stay in top shape in case they are allowed to play in the playoffs.
"I think we'll be back at it next Friday, I'm hoping at least," said Henry. "I hope it doesn't drag out any longer than that."
