Wednesday, Tazewell athletic director Rusty Hatfield admitted that the school had used an ineligible player against Lebanon and would forfeit the victory.
Hatfield said the finding came as a result of everyday paperwork.
"Monday morning, our guidance counselor, in doing routine paperwork, realize there was an athlete who was possibly ineligible," he said, reading from a prepared statement.
"She immediately came to (Tazewell principal) Dr. (Charles) Grindstaff and myself and informed us. We checked it out and realized she was right, that he was ineligible."
The player in question was ineligible under Section 28-5-1 of the Virginia High School League Handbook, which states: "The student shall not have reached the age of 19 on or before the first day of August of the school in which he/she wishes to compete."
Under Section 28-5-2 – the interpretation of 28-5-1 – the student was born on or before August 1, 1978, making him ineligible.
The Bulldogs' forfeiture is the first one for an ineligible player in Southwest Virginia since Honaker coughed up a 64-0 win over Whitewood in 1992 because a transfer that never gained eligibility played nine snaps.
The last forfeit of any kind in Southwest Virginia occurred in October of 1992 when J.I. Burton's players opted not to even dress out for a game with Powell Valley.
Tazewell's decision to forfeit means their last win remains a 40-12 triumph Oct. 26, 1995 at Virginia High. The Bulldogs have lost 18 of their last 19 games after starting the 1995 season 3-0.
Sports Editor
The principals of the four Western District schools turned down GW's appeal on an eligibility infraction and the Eagles are now officially 1-6 on the 1997 season.
GW coach Ed Martin received word of the ruling Tuesday after practice. The decision will take three wins away from the Eagles. Friday night's Western District opener at Albemarle was not a factor, since the player in question was held out of that game.
"We did everything by the book. When a player comes to us, the first thing we do is take down his address. This young man (Coach Martin requested his name not be used) gave us this address but then things happened that were not of his doing.
"His family moved away and he stayed. He went to live with a family in the county and he didn't tell us. He didn't think he was doing anything wrong. He wanted to remain a part of George Washington High School and our football team, so he had no choice but to move in with another family.
"As soon as we learned of his new residence, we knew it was a violation and we immediatley reported it to the Western District. We did everything correctly, and we have three wins taken away from us. It's unfortunate, but there's nothing else we can do but appeal to the VHSL."
Reached at school earlier in the day, the player in question regretted all that was happening. "I feel badly for the entire team if we have to forfeit those games," he said before the decision was announced.
"I moved in here from North Carolina and I didn't know about the eligibility rules, I never thought I was doing anything wrong, but I'm responsible for my actions and if we have to forfeit those games, I'm the one who has to take the blame.
"My family moved to Philadelphia and I wanted to stay at GW," he continued. " I figured GW would offer me a better chance to prepare for college.
"I hate that this happened because of me, but I appreciate the support I've received from the school administration, the coaches. and the players. All I can say is, I'm sorry it happened."
Earlier in the year, GW's Western District rival E.C. Glass was forced to forfeit three of their wins, also due to an ineligible player.