PRACTICE SKILL COURAGE INTENSITY

Twelve weeks ago, Cougar football fans and players could not imagine their season ending the way it did. Expected to be the best year of football Countryside High School has ever seen, things did not go according to plan. With high hopes of being a three-peat undefeated season, the team did not think about the possibility of not entering the playoffs.

The season was going phenomenal with everyone thinking this could be the year the Cougars get a shot at the big title. All was well until Countryside was hit with an overwhelming blow. Papers not properly filled out and turned in regarding the new quarterback from Canada, Christian Strong came to light.

All students who transfer from different schools after ninth grade need to complete a GA4 form, which was not accurately accomplished. The House Bill No. 1403 states that games cannot be forfeited unless school administration or coaches had previous knowledge about the violation. Unfortunately, Countryside administration had been told about the complications and problems that needed to be fixed back in Spring 2012. Yet, Coach Davis had been given the “green light” when fall season rolled around.

When the report finally became public, Countryside with a record of 7-1-0, was astonished. Who would have thought that all the work the players had put in all season could have been for nothing. On November 1, 2012 Countryside appealed the ruling of the 6 games in process of being forfeited. The outcome was one that no one wanted to hear.