Upstate New York High School Football Team Bounced from Playoffs by Judge

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Skaneateles High School's undefeated season came to a screeching halt, but not from another football team, but from a judge.

The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court has decided to uphold a suspension levied against the school by the Section III's Athletic Council that ruled an unnamed Skaneateles coach had tried to recuit players from other schools.  Judge John V. Centra's decision not to lift the suspension, means that the season is over for the 9-0 team that was schedule to play for the Section III Class C title on Saturday.

School officials argued the suspension was too severe.  Earlier this week, head coach Tim Green, a former NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons, resigned in hopes that the court would rule in favor of letting the Lakers play in the championship game.



Last week, Skaneateles beat Utica-Notre Dame after a State Supreme Court judge granted a restraining order that allowed the Lakers to post a 46-27 victory in the semifinals. That win doesn't matter now, because today's ruling means that Notre Dame is back-in the playoffs and will face herkimer in the Class C final on Saturday at the Carrier Dome.