Likely $500 fine, playoff ban for Blues football
High School Sports Huddle
Andrew Pearson, apearson@citizen-times.com 4:13 p.m. EST November 2, 2015
Buy Photo
Asheville School lost 48-20 to Christ School on Saturday. (Photo: Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com)
ASHEVILLE - Unless a special exception is made, Asheville School could face a hefty price for backing out of Friday’s start to the NCISAA Division II football playoffs.
The NCISAA's home offices are based out of Asheville. And its handbook states that any school which forfeits a postseason game is subject to a $500 fine. There is also a potential ban from the next year's playoffs.
The Blues (3-7) lost Saturday on their home field to Christ School (9-2) by a 48-20 score. As tradition states, it was the final regular-season game for both programs.
And for the second consecutive year, the NCISAA pitted the two oldest rivals in North Carolina and South Carolina against one other when it announced first-round playoff pairings on Sunday.
Asheville School forfeited shortly thereafter.
"While it was a difficult decision, we are forfeiting out of the best interest of our players and our football program," said Arch Montgomery, who is the Blues' Head of School.
"Our coaching staff and athletic director were unanimously behind this decision. After several injuries and with a limited number of players available, it didn't seem fair to participate this year. We also feel it's appropriate to reevaluate the athletic association's playoff format, recognizing that the playoffs should ideally be reserved for the top-four teams."
Asheville School and Christ School have played football 91 times since 1911. The Blues lead the all-time series, 50-37-4, but have now dropped six straight with this forfeit.
Last year was the first time that the Blues and Greenies had met twice in the same season — Christ School won 47-12 (regular season) and 52-20 (playoffs).
NCISAA associate director Chappell Carter said Monday that the state association still needed to talk to Asheville School directly. After that, he said that executive director Homar Ramirez would have a comment on the NCISAA's ruling.
Blues coach Gus Schill said his team had about 27 players available after Saturday's four-touchdown loss.
"This was not a decision arrived at easily," Schill said.
"We have informed the players and they took it hard. We just don't have the depth moving forward."
Schill has two sons on this year's Asheville School team - senior quarterback/defensive back David Schill and sophomore linebacker/receiver J.P. Schill.
The Greenies advance to play either No. 3 Harrells Christian (6-5) or No. 6 Hickory Grove (3-6) in the Nov. 13 state semifinals.
Christ School quarterback Drew Johnson passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two more scores in Saturday's Halloween afternoon matchup. Kokayi Cobb ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
High School Sports Huddle
Andrew Pearson, apearson@citizen-times.com 4:13 p.m. EST November 2, 2015
Asheville School lost 48-20 to Christ School on Saturday. (Photo: Angeli Wright/awright@citizen-times.com)
ASHEVILLE - Unless a special exception is made, Asheville School could face a hefty price for backing out of Friday’s start to the NCISAA Division II football playoffs.
The NCISAA's home offices are based out of Asheville. And its handbook states that any school which forfeits a postseason game is subject to a $500 fine. There is also a potential ban from the next year's playoffs.
The Blues (3-7) lost Saturday on their home field to Christ School (9-2) by a 48-20 score. As tradition states, it was the final regular-season game for both programs.
And for the second consecutive year, the NCISAA pitted the two oldest rivals in North Carolina and South Carolina against one other when it announced first-round playoff pairings on Sunday.
Asheville School forfeited shortly thereafter.
"While it was a difficult decision, we are forfeiting out of the best interest of our players and our football program," said Arch Montgomery, who is the Blues' Head of School.
"Our coaching staff and athletic director were unanimously behind this decision. After several injuries and with a limited number of players available, it didn't seem fair to participate this year. We also feel it's appropriate to reevaluate the athletic association's playoff format, recognizing that the playoffs should ideally be reserved for the top-four teams."
Asheville School and Christ School have played football 91 times since 1911. The Blues lead the all-time series, 50-37-4, but have now dropped six straight with this forfeit.
Last year was the first time that the Blues and Greenies had met twice in the same season — Christ School won 47-12 (regular season) and 52-20 (playoffs).
NCISAA associate director Chappell Carter said Monday that the state association still needed to talk to Asheville School directly. After that, he said that executive director Homar Ramirez would have a comment on the NCISAA's ruling.
Blues coach Gus Schill said his team had about 27 players available after Saturday's four-touchdown loss.
"This was not a decision arrived at easily," Schill said.
"We have informed the players and they took it hard. We just don't have the depth moving forward."
Schill has two sons on this year's Asheville School team - senior quarterback/defensive back David Schill and sophomore linebacker/receiver J.P. Schill.
The Greenies advance to play either No. 3 Harrells Christian (6-5) or No. 6 Hickory Grove (3-6) in the Nov. 13 state semifinals.
Christ School quarterback Drew Johnson passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for two more scores in Saturday's Halloween afternoon matchup. Kokayi Cobb ran for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
