Prep FootballTuesday, November 10
The judge said equal enforcement of MHSAA rules outweighed the harm to Catholic Central's players
The Good Day Grand Rapids team
Why did the judge side with the MHSAA when he was sympathetic to the Cougars? Denenfeld dissolved the restraining order that let Catholic Central play, and wrote that harm to Zainea and his teammates is outweighed by harm to the MHSAA if the court interfered.
“That all schools must compete under the exact same parameters ensures a level playing field and competitive fairness.”
The MHSAA found the Cougars used an ineligible player in six regular-season games, and the forfeits dropped the Cougars from 7-2 to 2-7.
Forfeits dropped Catholic Central from 7-2 to 2-7
| Before forfeits | Measure | After forfeits |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Wins | 2 |
| 2 | Losses | 7 |
Source: Panthers Wire
The ruling ends a 12-day legal battle.
Six games with an ineligible player led to five forfeits
- 6
- regular-season games with the ineligible player
- 5
- wins Catholic Central forfeited
- 12 days
- for the legal battle over the Cougars' playoff spot
Sources: Detroit Sports Nation, Panthers Wire
- Sports participation: "a privilege, not a right," the judge wrote
- Due process claim: judge found it unlikely to succeed