Appling County High School has been forced to forfeit 10 games from the 2024 football season after losing its appeal, dropping from a 10-4 record to 0-14. The South Georgia power made the semifinals last year and won a region title, which will now be awarded to Pierce County. The Bears gain their ninth region title and second in a row.
The Pirates, on the other hand, now have a stain on what had been a strong run, reaching at least the quarterfinals in four of the past five seasons. The GHSA stated that the team played last season with an ineligible player, but has not disclosed the specific violation that led to the forfeitures.
The two most likely causes are either academic ineligibility or a failure to make a bona fide move, meaning the player did not complete the requirements to establish residency and transfer without losing a year of eligibility. Appling County has exhausted its appeals and accepted the GHSA’s ruling.
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