By: Nathan Bloechl — [email protected]
Humboldt, Iowa — The headline just writes itself.
It’s almost unfathomable to believe that something like this could happen, but alas it did.
After dressing and playing an ineligible player on the road at Storm Lake, the the Humboldt Wildcat football team will have to forfeit their 28-6 victory over the Tornadoes.
Their record — now with an asterisk — sits at 1-2.
First and foremost, there are so many layers that need to be unwrapped given the circumstances of this bizarre situation.
Number one: how did an ineligible athlete dress in the first place? I’ve seen ineligible athletes wear game jerseys over street clothes, but never have I seen an ineligible athlete dress in pads.
Number two: why doesn’t every coach have a copy of the ineligibility list?
This is an outstandingly bad look for everyone involved.
This is varsity football, where wins and losses matter to kids, parents, community residents and obviously coaches; so why wasn’t every measure taken to make sure this athlete wouldn’t dress?
According to Humboldt Athletic Director Greg Thomas, the athlete took two snaps in the game Friday night in Storm Lake.
He was sent in by an assistant coach who was unaware of the eligibility of the player — ultimately, however, if a player is dressed one without knowledge of that list would safely assume if they are dressed they are green-lit to play.
At this time, it is unknown if the Wildcats would ask for board review on the circumstances, in some sort of appeal process.
Wildcat Head Football coach Derrick Elman said yesterday over the phone that it was an oversight and he’s regretful but was “proud of how the kids handled the situation at practice [
A similar situation happened six years ago to Greg Thomas, when an ineligible player played.
Humboldt will host Spencer this Friday, at home.
Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.