Two local high school football teams are awaiting their playoff fate, even though the season is still in its early stages.
The News & Observer was first to report on Monday that Riverside and Cedar Ridge High Schools were going to be ruled ineligible for the state playoffs after the two teams got into a late-game brawl on Friday night in Hillsborough.
The game was being carried live on WCHL at the time of the altercation. WCHL’s Colin Schultz was on play-by-play for the game and described a play ending on the Riverside sideline late in the fourth quarter. Riverside had the game was well in hand with a 20-3 score line when the Cedar Ridge defense tackled the Riverside ball carrier into the visiting team’s sideline.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association rules state that any team with three or more players ejected for fighting will not be allowed to compete in the postseason.
Cedar Ridge was off to a 3-0 start; the best start in school history.
Both teams will have an opportunity to appeal the decision.
A request for comment from Cedar Ridge officials was not returned on Monday.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines