John's father, Tevita Mahe, says he knows student athletes sometimes use fake addresses to get eligibility in another school's boundaries. "That's not what happened," he says, frustrated. "I bought this house."

West Jordan has done relatively well this season, while Copper Hills has a losing record. "If I'm thinking about athletics, why wouldn't I take him to Skyline or Brighton?" Tevita Mahe asks.

West Jordan's coach Morgan confirms he denied Mahe's transfer for athletic purposes. UHSAA rules are rules, he says. "They need to uphold those rules and guidelines."

This transfer case centered on a conversation that took place midway through Mahe's junior year between the young man and Morgan, West Jordan athletic director Dan Cowan and coach Scott Briggs.

Mahe had told West Jordan officials he was leaving for Copper Hills, and according to UHSAA documents, the three asked him why he was leaving. Morgan, Cowan and Briggs testified that Mahe told them, "I want to play football at Copper Hills, not West Jordan."

Mahe denies saying this.

The panel heard testimony from all parties: West Jordan coaches and administrators and John Mahe, his family and Copper Hills officials — and did not approve the transfer. Before the final decision was made, Mahe and his family had appealed twice and presented their case to a 3rd District Court judge. All appeals were unsuccessful.

"It's sad. There is no other word for it. Somewhere along the way, he got bad advice," Morgan said last week. He was a two-way starter at tight end and defensive end for West Jordan last year, and Morgan says he did a great job.

"The bottom line is that John was great in our program and a great student at our school. He is a quality young man, and I hate to see this happen."

Tevita Mahe is furious. "They pushed this too far," he said of West Jordan coaches.

The panel's decision may have greater implications for John Mahe. The young man's parents have struggled financially, and Mahe — who holds down a 3.5 grade-point average — needs a football scholarship. His father moved to Utah from Tonga in 1979. The older Mahe has a high school education and wants more for his son.

"If you want to go to college free, you have to get a scholarship. That's what we're all dreaming about."

It is unclear whether Mahe will get a shot at college ball.

Sitting out this season hurts, he says, although he may catch some scouts' eyes because of he was one of 30 players from Utah listed on the "Recruiting Hot List" by ESPN last year. He may walk on somewhere, and he has had some interest from New Mexico and Utah State University.

After the final appeal, Tevita Mahe said he told his son to forget about football for now. "Maybe there is a reason for this. I need you to move on," he told his boy. "This is not the end of the world for football."