The Dolores High School Football Team did not board the bus last Friday to drive to Centauri High School to play a much anticipated game.
The team forfeited the game, which was to take place Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m., because not enough of the players are eligible.
Dolores School Superintendent Scott Cooper said that 10 or more boys were ineligible because of misconduct and a large number of others were ineligible because of poor grades and injuries.
All students sign a code of conduct before playing and violated that code can result in suspension from play.
Its unfortunate, Cooper said. But it amounts to enough boys on the team who cant play.
The boys were going to make the over four-hour drive to Centauri, for the game, after a local business donated hotel rooms for the players so they would not have to drive there and back on the same day.
When contacted, the business woman said she was able to get her money back from the hotel after being notified of the situation last night.
Cooper would not elaborate, but said the boys definitely broke the code of conduct.
Its sad for the boys that did conduct themselves, Cooper said.
Here is how the code reads:
Every student must abide by the school code of conduct while attending any school sanctioned event. Any inappropriate behavior may result in an ejection, detention, suspension or expulsion.
Alcohol/Drug: A participant found in possession of or using drugs, alcohol, tobacco or steroids on or off campus, while at home or another location or traveling for competition shall be suspended from season play.
Criminal: A participant charged or with using drugs, alcohol, steroids, public fighting or disturbance, DUI/DWI or any felony shall not participate until s/he is found not guilty of the offense or has repaid his/her debt and released by the court system.
Expulsion:No expelled individual shall participate in any CHSAA sanctioned athletic/activity.
Quitting:A participant, who quits a sport three (3) weeks into the season, shall be suspended from season play and may not participate in the next sport season.
Removal: A participant who is asked to leave a sport due to attitude and insubordination issues toward the team concept shall be suspended from season play.
Lt. Ted Meador with the Montezuma County Sheriffs Department said the department was looking into a party that may have had football players in attendance but they did not find any criminal activity and no one was given a ticket or charged with a crime.
The Dolores Bears are expected to play Ignacio in Ignacio today at 7 p.m.