NMAA reverses decision to force Oate High to forfeit four victories

The New Mexico Activities Association has reversed its decision to have the Oñate High School football team forfeit four victories for letting an ineligible player play several games.

LCPS confirms to ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom the decision came down shortly after Noon Monday. The district said it won its appeal.

“The NMAA board’s decision was made based on the idea that kids should not be hurt based of mistakes made by adults,” said Dusty Young, NMAA Associate Director.

A district spokeswoman would only say the school’s athletic department and the school’s athletic coordinator would be placed on two years probation.

The New Mexico Activities Association notified the school earlier this month it would have to forfeit the four games. The Knights were 5-2 at the time and their record stood at 1-6 in the wake of the forfeitures.

“A mistake was made and the district has taken action to address this matter. There will be no finger-pointing,” Dr. Steven Sanchez, Las Cruces Public Schools Interim Superintendent, said at the time.

Sanchez said in order to maintain the student’s confidentiality, the district would not disclose the basis for the ineligibility or the student’s name.

At the time the decision came down, Head Football Coach Brent Jaquess said this would hurt the team when it came to qualifying for the state football playoffs. He said his team would be forced to win the remainder of its games in order to have a chance to take their district.

Jaquess told ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom no one knew the player was ineligible. He was a backup player who played in the four games, the coach said at the time.

The player, Jacuess said, transferred from within the district and was eligible for varsity track last spring. He was not eligible to play football or basketball because of district rules, the coach said.

Ernie Viramontes, LCPS director of athletics, said the four previously forfeited games were as follows:

Atrisco Heritage Academy of Albuquerque played on Sept. 3 (won 14-0) Sandia High of Albuquerque played on Sept. 9 (won 40-29) Gadsden High played on Sept. 23 (won 51-0) Mayfield High played on Sept. 30 (won 31-28)