[Grand Am Fan]

Matewan wins SSAC appeal



Friday, October 13, 2006 4:44 PM CDT




PARKERSBURG - Matewan High School has won their appeal and will regain the two game forfeited recently by the WVSSAC. The call came in Friday afternoon from Mike Hayden, Executive Director of the organization.

Principal Marcella Charles and head coach Yogi Kinder traveled to Parkersburg Thursday afternoon to appeal the school's two forfeits.

“Matewan High School is pleased with this decision,” Charles said. “It is our desire to move forward and to provide our students a productive year both academically and athletically.”

“Everyone at Matewan has fully cooperated with the investigation and now feels that it is time to focus our energy on a successful school year and football season,” Charles added.

The appeal process went before the Board of Directors of the WVSSAC.

This made Matewan's record 5-1 heading into their game with Gilbert Friday night.

The latest SSAC ratings had the Tigers at 3-3, counting the forfeits.

Now the only blemish they have on their record will be the loss to Tug Valley.

The SSAC has also ruled that freshman John Stafford, a transfer from Belfry High School, will now be eligible to play. Stafford had mostly been used on special teams, but had played in the forfeited games.

An earlier appeal gave senior Garrett Epling a 5th year of eligibility.

Matewan High School previously ruled that the Tigers would have to forfeit their first two wins of the season. Those were against Shelby Valley, Ky. and Wierton Madonna.

At that time, Charles sent letters to those schools notifying them of the forfeits. Now she will do the same informing those two schools that the losses will stand.

This will greatly effect not only Matewan's playoff chances, but will give Madonna another loss.

It will also give Tug Valley more bonus points in the computer rating system, and help that school's playoff chances. Matewan had dropped from the top 16 with the forfeits. Tug Valley came in tied for 12th this past week, while Gilbert was 9th.

By KYLE LOVERN