Dudley High School will send an appeal to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s (NCHSAA) full board after the executive committee denied the initial appeal Wednesday. If the decision stands, Dudley High’s varsity football team will not participate in the playoffs this year. 

Guilford County Schools and Dudley High reported four ineligible players to the NCHSAA on Monday, Nov. 10. The four players dressed out for the Dudley High varsity football game against Southeast High on Friday, Nov. 7.  One of the players actually played in the game, which Dudley won 50-21.

The four players were on the junior varsity team; that season ended on Thursday, Nov. 6. When that season is over, players may be moved up to the varsity level and may play in the playoffs.

However, according to NCHSAA rules, student-athletes may not participate in more than one game within one week. Even though only one of the four students played in the game, NCHSAA rules say students who dress for a game are considered participating.

The NCHSAA determined the penalty for the violation was a $500 fine and Dudley must forfeit the Nov. 7 game. In addition, NCHSAA rules say any game forfeiture that impacts a team’s record and seeding will also impact its participation in playoffs, if brackets are already finalized. Dudley’s forfeiture of the Nov. 7 game impacts its record and seeding, and since playoff brackets were finalized over the weekend, Dudley may not participate.