An appeal board of the GHSA voted unanimously today to deny an appeal from Dalton High School that was seeking to reinstate four victories that were ordered forfeited earlier this week. The GHSA had previously ruled that Dalton had used an ineligible player in four victories this season. The Catamounts record dropped from 6-2 to 2-6 after the ruling came down, putting Dalton’s streak of 51-straight winning seasons in jeopardy. Dalton also lost its spot in the Region 7-AAA play-in game next week due to the forfeits.
The GHSA committee was made up of four randomly-selected members from the GHSA’s State executive Committee according to a GHSA spokesman. The appeal process included testimony from the GHSA Executive Director Dr. Ralph Swearngin as well as testimony from Dalton High School representatives. The appeal board deliberated for over two hours according to the spokesman before denying the appeal.
Dalton travels to face Southeast Whitfield tonight in a game that will feature increased security. According to the Dalton Daily Citizen it was Southeast Whitfield administrators that brought questions about the eligibility of Corey Smith, a former Southeast Whitfield player, to the GHSA earlier this month.
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