SISD: El Dorado Out Of Playoffs For Using Ineligible Player

El Dorado High School may be eliminated from the playoffs — without even setting foot on the field.

According to a Socorro Independent School District statement, El Dorado High School self-reported that an ineligible player played in two district football games this season. The district said the player was ineligible because of a residency issue.

The Aztecs will have to forfeit those two games — wins against Eastwood and Socorro — which knocks them out of playoff contention.

The decision was announced after an afternoon emergency meeting by an SISD executive committee.

The school is appealing the decision to the State Executive Committee, which is expected to rule on the matter by 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

If El Dorado is denied reinstatement into the state playoffs, Coronado High School, which finished one game back, would jump the Aztecs in the District 1-5A standings and make the playoffs. Coronado would replace it as the fourth-seed in District 1-5A and host San Angelo Central on Saturday in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

El Dorado coach Jim Altoff said he’s optimistic the appeal will go through and the Aztecs will suit up on Aaturday as planned.

Meanwhile, the Coronado football team has been told to keep practicing.