HS Team to Forfeit Six Games for Ineligible Player

Powell football has to forfeit its six wins so far this season due to an ineligible player, according to a ruling from the TSSAA.

Powell was 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Region 3-5A in Matt Lowe's return as head coach and on the verge of securing a playoff spot for the first time since 2012.

Powell is now 0-7, 0-4. It's possible Powell can make the playoffs if it wins the last two region games against West (3-4, 2-1) on Friday and Oak Ridge (6-1, 3-1) on Oct. 19.

The player's family moved into the Karns zone during the school year last year, and the player chose to finish out the school year at his previous school, where he had played football, according to the TSSAA.

Instead of enrolling at Karns, where he would have been eligible, the player requested an out-of-zone transfer to Powell.

According to the TSSAA, the Powell administration submitted the transfer form saying he had made a bona fide chance of residence, though the family did not move to the Powell zone.

The player, whose name has not been released by the TSSAA, could have stayed in the original school or attended Karns, but was ineligible at Powell without a change of residence.

The TSSAA ruled that Powell must forfeit the games in which the player participated, which is all seven games, including six wins, and a letter must be sent to each school against whom he played.

Powell must pay a $700 fine - $100 for each game. The player is ineligible for the rest of the season.

Karns, Clinton and Campbell County all just picked up their first region wins with the forfeits. Halls, Cumberland County and Lenoir City now have additional non-region wins. Fulton had already beaten Powell.

Powell issued a statement from athletic director Chad Smith that differs from the one issued on Wednesday.

"These circumstances are a result of incorrect documentation," it reads. "There has never been any effort or intention whatsoever to misrepresent the athletic interests of Powell High School. We will comply with all of the instructions set forth by the TSSAA regarding this situation."

The previous statement referred to an intent to appeal.

The school also issued a statement from its principal, also named Chad Smith:

"Powell High School prides itself on being a school that is student-centered and a school that exhibits integrity both on and off the field and it will continue to be that way. We understand that it is a new day in Knox County athletics, and we look forward to watching all of our student-athletes compete in future athletic contests."

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