As Roller Coaster days go, South Forsyth’s football program and its boosters may have experienced the Roller Coastiest. Tuesday morning the Georgia Sportswriters Association released its newest rankings. South Forsyth, on the strength of its win over a demonstrably tough Milton team last Friday night, improved to 7-0 and found themselves in the #4 position in Class 7A. Lowndes. Archer. Grayson. South Forsyth. That’s rarified air. The dream season continued, with the Civil War on tap, a visit to North Forsyth for the annual urban vs rural clash.
Then, yesterday evening, the Georgia High School Association announced that South Forsyth had informed them it would be forfeiting its second victory of the season, a win over neighboring private school Pinecrest Academy, because the War Eagles had played an academically ineligible player.
Wait….uhhh, what?
Gone is the chance for the rare undefeated season. But that’s all. While it stings, it doesn’t change the fact that South Forsyth remains atop Region 5 7A at 6-1 overall, and tied with North Forsyth within the Region at 2-0. And guess who the War Eagles play Friday night?
And this shouldn’t change their position among the GHSA voters. The reality remains that South has not lost on the field. And I think that will be honored. It was an honest mistake. An administrative error. I don’t want to believe there will be a lot of finger pointing, but unfortunately, when pride and history meet, it’s often inevitable. Somebody made a mistake. Somebody cost the school a chance at a season of legendary proportions. But if we learn anything from the game of football, it’s that mistakes will be made. We must hold ourselves accountable, rally around the ones who erred, learn from it and move on.
South has certainly held itself accountable. As soon as the mistake was confirmed, South administrators were on the phone with the ruling body, confessing the error and holding themselves completely accountable. Details will emerge; the who, what, why, when and how. But it won’t change anything. South Forsyth High School, a proud and loyal community, will rally around the ones who erred, learn from the mistake and move on.
South’s goals are still right in front of them. Their destiny is, as they say, in their own hands.
South Forsyth Athletic Director Keith Gravitt, who has been at the school as long as anybody, oversees a hugely successful department. While the War Eagles lofty football ranking grabs most of the headlines, it should be noted that South’s volleyball team has advanced to the state quarterfinals for the sixth straight season, and the softball team plays Parkview in a state tourney game tonight. We reached out to the AD, offering him the opportunity to join us on a podcast. In declining, the always gracious Coach Gravitt sent this note.
“Thanks so much for reaching out and also for all you do to help HS Football in our county. As you can imagine, the effects of the situation that has occurred and affected the result of our football game with Pinecrest Academy has hurt the players on the team and the coaching staff. My heart is with them as we move past this unfortunate mistake that was not within their control. Our head coach and his staff are an incredible group of men and professionals that are moving the team in a positive direction and motivating them daily, and especially in this circumstance. I think it would be in the best interest of the team to let Friday Night be about the game on the field. Also, the Special Dedication North Forsyth is having for the late Coach Jim Bishop, who impacted so many young men and women in our county, with the naming of their weight room in his memory deserves center stage. Thanks again for your offer to be part of your podcast. You do an incredible job!”
Later Wednesday afternoon following a meeting at the school, the South Forsyth Touchdown Club released this statement, forwarded to us by our friend and colleague, SFTDC Board Member Tami Cruz:
“This week the SFHS Football program forfeited it’s win over Pinecrest on Aug 25, after proactively self-reporting a processing error that identified an ineligible player on the roster during that game. The Football program is one of high integrity and the main focus is learning from this experience and preparing for the upcoming game against the NFHS Raiders this Friday night. The SFTDC Board will continue our charter in supporting the needs of our players and coaches. Additionally, our current regional rankings and playoff standing are unaffected by the forfeit.”
More information and the official statement from South Forsyth High is available in the Forsyth County News, in an article published late Tuesday night breaking the story, by FCN Sports Director Brian Paglia.
The naming of the new North Forsyth Weight Room in honor of Coach Bishop will be a very special moment Friday night. Most who follow athletics in Forsyth County are familiar with the tragic fate of the beloved coach. This will be a testament to the many many lives he touched, and will offer some closure to the space his passing left in as many hearts. We’ll do our best to convey the ceremony over the air. The Civil War, meanwhile, South Forsyth vs North Forsyth in Raider Valley, is the next big game in a season of big games for the War Eagles. North is 5-2 overall, 2-0 in Region 5 7A. It’s pretty clear South has not faced a club that chucks the ball all over the yard like the Raiders do. Potential (His only competition is South’s Jared Honey) Region 5 Offensive Player Of The Year, North Forsyth QB Ben Bales, has thrown for more than 2000 yards in just seven games. He averages 300 yards per game. His line: 141/223 62% with 21 Touchdowns to just 6 Interceptions. That’s pretty impressive at any level. And he’s got three games to go. Here comes a real chance for Bales to cement his legacy in both North Forsyth lore and Forsyth County lore.
Hey now, you’re an All-Star! Get your game on! Go play!!
So let’s play!
Our Game of the Week is South Forsyth at North Forsyth, The Civil War! Podcast time 6:30, kickoff 7:30 Friday night, LIVE on Forsyth Sports 365.
***Special aside to North Forsyth pre season all-region tight end Clay Bardall, who’s dad Brad is a past president of the Raiders Booster Club, and has been our guest on the air at previous North Forsyth home games. Clay severely injured his leg in the second game and it cost him his senior season. We are thinking of you , Clay, and hope that your dream of following your big brother on to the next level remains in place. Heal up quickly!
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***Special aside to North Forsyth pre season all-region tight end Clay Bardall, who’s dad Brad is a past president of the Raiders Booster Club, and has been our guest on the air at previous North Forsyth home games. Clay severely injured his leg in the second game and it cost him his senior season. We are thinking of you , Clay, and hope that your dream of following your big brother on to the next level remains in place. Heal up quickly!