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Middle school football players may sit out their last game this season because of confusion about state rules governing middle school sports.
School officials told middle school athletic directors Tuesday their teams could only play seven games, even though most scheduled eight.
For many, that would mean this week’s game was their last.
But school officials are trying to work out the confusion so that the teams could play their final games.
According to State Board of Education rules, middle school teams are allowed to play seven games, with one additional championship game. But the state department, which hands out a rule book concerning middle school athletics, is the source of the confusion, according to Rowan-Salisbury Associate Superintendent for Curriculum Howard Hurt.
The rule book’s wording on the number of games was unclear, according to Erich Epps, West Middle School football coach and athletic director. This year, athletic directors thought that eight games and a playoff game were acceptable, he said.
But Hurt said the state board of education rules clearly state that middle schools shall play no more than seven regular games and one championship.
The discrepancy was brought up at a middle school principals’ meeting about three weeks ago. School officials began investigating and on Tuesday said schools might not be allowed to play an eighth regular season game.
But Hurt said officials are looking a ways to let teams finish the scheduled season, and he anticipates a decision on Monday.
“I think we know in future to double check that rule book,” Epps said. “The bottom line in my opinion is that it was an oversight by the athletic directors.”
Epps said he was surprised the administration decided to cancel the last game of this season, but he wasn’t surprised about the cancellation of the extra playoff games.
Epps noted that school officials acted so the system complies with state board regulations.
A season cut short is a disappointment to coaches, players and parents, Epps said.
Only two games will definitely be played next week.
On Monday, Knox and Erwin middle schools will play because Knox did not play their game against South Davie last week.
On Thursday, North and West Rowan will play a champion ship game. Both teams are 7-0.
But rivals Corriher-Lipe and China Grove Middle School may not play their biggest game of the year, because each school already has played seven games.
Corriher-Lipe may have played its last game this week against North Rowan Middle. Coaches informed their players of the decision at practice Tuesday afternoon. The players were disappointed, said Corriher-Lipe Coach Jeff Shuping.
China Grove may have played its last game against North Davie Middle School.
Reactions varied, according to China Grove Coach Kenny Morrison. Some players thought it was no big deal, while many were upset. One student called Superintendent Dr. Wiley Doby directly, Morrison said.
Had China Grove coaches known of the problem before the North Davie game, the y might have talked to North Davie’s coach about canceling that game.
“You hate not to play your biggest rival,” he said. “The community always gears itself up for that event.”
Explaining the why was the hard part. “There wasn’t much we could say,” Morrison said. “What does that mean to them?”
China Grove Middle School canceled its spirit week, which centers on this game, rescheduling it for basketball season.
Corriher-Lipe Middle plans to hold its spirit week as planned. Principal Suzette Davis said they had already planned a big week and coupled it with an anti-drug campaign.
“The school board doesn’t want to do anything to hurt the schools,” Hurt said. But school officials must follow state rules.
Even if Tuesday’s decision is reversed, Hurt said, some teams may have already packed up for the year and not want to play.
Contact Jillian McCartney at 704-797-4253 or jmccartney@salisburypost.com
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