Oate Coach: “It was an adult mistake and the kids are paying for it”

The Oñate High School Football team has been forced to forfeit four of its games, in the midst of one of its best seasons ever, after the New Mexico Activities Association said the team fielded an ineligible player.

“It was an adult mistake and the kids are having to pay for it,” said Oñate High Head Football Coach Brent Jaquess.

The Las Cruces Public Schools district and the NMAA said Tuesday that in order to maintain the student’s confidentiality, they’re not going to tell us why the student was ineligible.

“A mistake was made and the district has taken action to address this matter. There will be no finger-pointing. Understandably, this ruling will be heartbreaking and disappointing to the players, coaches, school administrators and all Oñate fans,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Steven Sanchez.

The district promised to appeal the ruling and hopes for a quick decision. “Our superintendent has elected we are not going to disclose the name or the specificity as to what really happened. Suffice to say, somebody made a mistake,” LCPS Spokeswoman Jo Galvan said.

Among the games Oñate must forfeit is a 31-28 win over Mayfield High School, Oñate’s first win over Mayfield in 23 years.

The school’s record will flip from 5-2 overall and 3-0 in district to 1-6 overall and 1-2 in district, putting them in danger of missing the playoffs with three games to play.

Jaquess told ABC-7 said his team will have to win out to have any shot at making the playoffs.

When asked why the player was deemed ineligible, Jaquess said, “We had a transfer player that came over last fall, was having some problems at another school and he started blossoming here, he was a contributor on the special teams, he was a backup on our defense.

Jaquess said the school sent a report and did everything it could. “We thought he was eligible and, obviously, the NMAA made a determination and sent out a letter, one letter to the school that he wasn’t, it kind of fell through the cracks I guess.”

Jaquess said he wasn’t made aware of the investigation into the player until 8 days ago, adding it was something the district, “should have picked up but they didn’t.” The coach went on to characterize the mistake as a “communication lapse,” but would not say who exactly is to blame.

“We gotta heal, we gotta heal. We gotta get back on the field and I think there’s still a chance to get seeded for the playoffs,” Jaquess said, “We just gotta take care of business and come together as the family that we are and support one another and get through this.”