Morgan City High football player ruled ineligible by LSHAA

An unnamed Morgan City High School football player has been ruled ineligible to play at all levels in all Louisiana State High School Athletic Association sports until he meets scholastic rule requirements, a LSHAA ruling release Thursday stated.
And, if he meets the requirements he must sit out next year’s jamboree and all 10 playing dates for 2014, the ruling stated.
The ruling was release by Kenny Henderson, LHSAA executive director.
“This was a young man that had more than enough grade-point-average but … But, he had five and a half credits instead of six,” Dennis Lorio, head football coach said.
The school’s administration is required to have Lorio attend the next LHSAA handbook certification class or enroll, complete and pass a test.
“I will comply to any penalties the LHSAA imposed. I am disappointed we did not catch the issue,” Lorio said. “That is the rule and we want to play by the rules.”
Morgan City High School self-reported the rules violation and will not forfeit any of its games, since it did not win any of the regular season-games last year, and it was assessed a $200 fine by the LHSAA, the ruling said. The player had participated in all 10 of Morgan City High’s football games as well as the jamboree.
Lorio said the school had more than 700 details correct as it reviewed the paperwork for its student athletes.
“But we had one error; a player was short half a credit. I am disappointed we did not catch it sooner,” Lorio said.
The student could return and play in the 2015 season, Lorio said. In the meantime Lorio will be focused on getting Morgan City back into the playoffs and contending for a state title, he said.