Schools
Osseo Senior High Football Team Forfeits Two Season Wins
The first two varsity football games of the 2012 season were forfeited as a result of "an administrative error."
In what Osseo Senior High is calling an “administrative error” has resulted in the forfeit of two season wins for the Orioles varsity football team.
The forfeit was a result “of an administrative error that led to the use of an ineligible player in violation of a Minnesota State High School League Bylaw,” according to a press release from Osseo Senior High dated Oct. 1.
It was determined the two non-conference wins of the Orioles season against Centennial High School (Aug. 30) and Maple Grove Senior High School (Sept. 7) would be considered a loss.
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“I take full responsibility for the error,” Ray Kirch, Osseo Senior High activities director for the school wrote in the press release. “When we discovered the violation, I informed the Minnesota State High School League. We have reviewed our documentation, consulted with the MSHSL and determined that we had used an ineligible player in our first two games.”
MSHSL officials “concurred that the forfeiture penalty” as outlined in the league’s bylaws should be imposed.
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“Our football players have had a great season thus far, and an error on my part should not take away from what they have accomplished on the field,” Kirch wrote. “I just hope that by dealing with this unfortunate situation, it will allow our team to finish their regular season on a high note and get ready for the section playoffs. We are committed to following the rules and bylaws set forth by the MSHSL’s Board of Directors, and we regret our mistake resulted in a violation. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that this situation won’t occur again.”
At the time of the Oct. 1 press release, the Osseo Senior High varsity football team was undefeated in the first five games on the season. When the forfeiture was announced on Oct. 1, the record fell to 3-2 with wins over Blaine, Robbinsdale Armstrong and Andover. Despite the notification of the two forfeited games from Osseo Senior High in the press release, the Minnesota State High School League website reflects an undefeated 6-0 season for the Orioles as of Oct. 9, 2012.
The Orioles recently secured another win during a 48-0 victory over Park Center Senior High School Oct. 5.
Osseo Senior High will play Elk River (Oct. 12) and Totino-Grace (Oct. 17) in the final two games of the regular 2012 season.
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