Utah high school football coaches protest UHSAA decision to let East in playoffs

UHSAA is a joke. They have shown a repeated pattern of failing to enforce rules and this latest example is typical. Instead of doing what is right, they bow down to pressure-usually when that pressure is threatened litigation. What is truly sad about that is they are sitting on millions of dollars that could be used to mount a legal defense. I work at a high school and personally know the money made by UHSAA in gates from games all across the state-it is a jaw-dropping amount! Why they don't have the guts to take a stand is beyond me. What I do know is that it is destroying what good there is left in amateur sports. To me, it is just another example of the disintegration of integrity in our society, but made worse by the fact that this organization is connected to the education of our children. If kids are not taught integrity, there will be NO hope of changing this trend in our society. The UHSAA is apparently just the latest morally defunct organization to add to the tapestry of moral degradation blanketing our society. Thanks UHSAA for ultimately harming kids...

We all know logan doesn't make excuses lol.

Timpview will beat East.

Logan has beat East.

So I am taking the winner of the Timpview vs Logan game as your next State Champion over Mtn Crest.

Big game tomorrow. East is thrid best. and if they "didnt want to play against Logan because they thought the season was over-not motivated" then I really take East as third. True players play no matter what.

@dex
First of all no one at Logan is "padding" themselves on the back. They are focused on the game against Timpview. That's the only game that matters to them right now. Not once have I heard anyone from Logan on these boards say anything derogatory about East. Logan has played East 3 times in the last year and I think that they know better than anyone how good East is. When you come on here and start putting Logan down, it just makes you look like you're making excuses. Logan doesn't make excuses, they just play the games that are handed to them. I sincerely hope that Logan gets to play East again but it won't be in the Title game because we are on the same side of the bracket.

i agree with footballfan22 the seeding was wrong for the other schools who worked so hard to get the top seed to make it easier for them when comes play off time and they'll get a lower seed team. And for those who watched that East vs Logan game, dont pad youself on the back just yet Logan, you just caught East at a vaunerable time. They looked like they didnt even want to play. Sources told me that they found out that there season was cut off. players didnt want to play anymore. the coaches werent even yelling at them or making any adjustments. like some of the comments ive seen during the season some of herrimans fans stated they are just as good as East or even BETTER, now's ur chance to prove it. As for Logan, if u get to the Title game cause im pretty sure East will be there. Im pretty sure you'll find Real East High Football Team.

Seems like these other schools are scared,that they have no chance if east plays.. come on man...let the kids play

These are just a few questions I have...

Who gives the UHSAA its power?

Was it created by the state legislature or the Utah State office of education for the purpose of handling athletics in the state?

Does it have power because the high schools all just go along with what they say? Do they crown the champ because they have actual authority to do so, or is this like the BCS(formerly the UPI) vs AP National champion.

Could some one start a new governing body and recruit schools into thier system? Similar to the old NIT vs NCAA tournaments?

Could the local high schools go together and create their own playoff system?

These are just a few questions I have...

Does anyone know the answers? Amy D?

@NeilT

What about players that don't live in either West's or East's boundries? If you had followed this story you would know the original ineligible player who played for East lived in Highland's boundries. He came to East from an alternative school run by the district where most students who attend there are in East's boundries.

Open enrollment isn't the bad guy, but it needs to be adjusted. If the rules where better set up then these problems wouldn't be so big. Open enrollment should apply only for a student's freshman year in schools that enroll 9th-12th and a student's sophomore year in those who are 10th-12th. Any transfer after that should then have to be an entire family moving into the new schools boundaries. Or you sit out of varsity sports for a year like the current transfer rule states. Or maybe adopt the NCAA transfer rule where if you transfer to a lower classification you don't have to wait, but if you transfer within the same or to a higher one you sit out a year unless your current coach signs off on the transfer.

I know that both sides of the situation can be seen here, I was just curious though, are people protesting the decision due to "the right thing to do" or is the protest coming from, "teams that just don't want to play East High"?

First off, I know that kids that played and worked all season long to one of the elite teams in the state, having their title shot taken from them is really disheartening, nobody wants to see that, but in that same light, football is a team effort, and that actions of can can and will effect the entire team.

Second, this is a double edge sword either way that you look at it, I really can't see a way for this to be resolved with all parties satisfied. But the right thing to do is not always the easiest, regardless of what side you are on.

But the schools or people that don't want East to play, just because you want to see the 'Big dog' go down, or avoid playing them in the tournament, you are not seeking justice the matter.

There is only one source of all of this...whoever decided to play illegal players. Punish that team. Not the state.

If you want all of the children to this State to be winners, then, the whole system has to be as equal as you can possibly make it. The kids across the other side of the tracks need to feel like winners just as much as the affluent ones. Winning in sports can form a winning mental outlook for young minds, just as much as academic success. And that goes for the entire student body, whether they participate or
We, as a society, need to find a way to get our moral standard set to a higher level and what better place to start than at the educational level. Let’s show our children that it is not right to cheat, lie or steal just to win. Let’s teach them to have respect for each other and their elders. It’s been said many times, “it’s not how you win, but how you play the game.” If you are forthright and honest, you can always hold your head high and you are, indeed, a winner.

Open enrollment is nothing but a way to cheat and it should all be closed. If not, then all the schools, who have open enrollment, should be put in their own region and play each other, forming a super region.
If you want all of the children to this State to be winners, then, the whole system has to be as equal as you can possibly make it. The kids across the other side of the tracks need to feel like winners just as much as the affluent ones. Winning in sports can form a winning mental outlook for young minds, just as much as academic success. And that goes for the entire student body, whether they participate or

It appears that regulations are fine until they disrupt someone's illegal behavior.

Utah verison of the BCS Mr shurcliff where are you ?

The players don't deserve to be punished. Clearly East deserves the chance at a title. They earned it.

The first thing I saw on the news Friday night when the "new" ruling came down was a group of East players performing the Haka dance. The reason I bring this up is because the Haka is a dance for warriors. When I think of a "warrior" I think of someone who values "Honor" above all else.

Weather by accident or intentionally East broke the rules. The penalty is forfeiture of games. They should be eliminated from the play off’s. It's unfortunate and my heart goes out to the kids who did every thing right, but that's the way it is.

In time, this situation will fade away. East may win it all and their players and coaches will be able to claim best in the land but they will never be able to make that claim with pure heart and clear conscious. If they choose integrity and honor it will be a lesson to others and last in glory for ever.

So what say you East? It's time to show us who you all are. Is Honor more important than a tainted State Championship?

My money is on Harriman any way! Go Mustangs!

I would love to see the UHSAA dragged into a massive lawsuit that will expose all of their dirty laundry once and for all. It would force them to abide by their own rules and rulings along with expose the entire body in a way normal citizens never could. The rigors of lawyers and judges crawling through every scrap of paper and person that makes up the UHSAA boards is just the cleaning Utah high school sports needs.

The first thing I saw on the news Friday night when the "new" ruling came down was a group of East players performing the Haka dance. The reason I bring this up is because the Haka is a dance for warriors. When I think of a "warrior" I think of someone who values "Honor" above all else.

Weather by accident or intentionally East broke the rules. The penalty is forfeiture of games. They should be eliminated from the play offs. It's unfortunate and my heart goes out to the kids who did every thing right, but that's the way it is.

In time, this situation will fade away. East may win it all and their players and coaches will be able to claim best in the land but they will never be able to make that claim with pure heart and clear conscious. If they choose integrity and honor it will be a lesson to others and last in glory for ever.

So what say you East? It's time to show us who you all are. Is Honor more important than a tainted State Championship?

My money is on Harriman any way! Go Mustangs!

RS I concur. You live on the East side of SLC you play for East. West side you play for West. Problem solved.

Grossly unfair decision by the Trustees. They are the bad guys right now. Such a conspicuous error doesn't reflect very well on their decision making abilities or common sense.I hope it is an aberration and not the norm.

Indeed,

some good investigative journalism would reveal who these Board of Trustees are. Many assume, as I did at first, like the Executive Committee, that they are principals. But I learned that most are private citizens, some elected school board members.

So who are they in general? Who made the specific decisions here? And what possible ties to East could they possibly have to come to this conclusion?

It is time for the Deseret News to step up and investigate this matter.

Also, besides Herriman and Logan losing out, by the BOT upholding Timpview's forfeit losses but not East's gave Mountain View the fifth seed in region over Salem Hills and Springville. The other loser in this is Cyprus. The decision has ripple effects in every single game as some schools benefitted form easier games against lesser seeded teams (Orem, Maple Mountain, Box Elder, Highland, Bountiful) while others (Herriman, Logan, Mountain View, Timpview) got harder games because of the inconsistency of the decisions. You either kick East out or you restore East and Timpview's victories, restore integrity to the bracket while giving Salem Hills and Springville a right to play into the tournament.

I am going out on a limb and asking why the student athletes at east who played by the rules and worked just as hard as the rest of the state's student athletes should be punished for something they had no control over. I disagree with punishing a program and all its players for the errors of the adult administrators. There was no intent to cheat from what I have read. No advantage was gained by the ineligible players so why punish them all? Why don't parents and coaches step back and see if they feel the same if the tables were turned. If Herriman can't beat East then they shouldn't be state champions anyway. Or they just wanted a watered down easier path to play. If I were the Herriman players I would be insulted that their own coaches and parents don't think they are up to the task. If you want to be the champions then beat anyone in your way.

Let me clarify a bit about my "to be the best you have to beat the best" statement. I'm in no way saying East should be playing in the playoffs. I support and agree with the first decision of the UHSAA, that East forfeit their wins where ineligible players played. My point was now they have overturned that decision and more than likely East will play (although they shouldn't), lets stop complaining about it and dig in and play ball. No one wants to see this go to the courts. Going to the courts will just make a messy situation even messier. Think about it a court case won't be heard before the playoffs start or maybe not until they are over. So what are you going to do if a court rules in favor of the original ruling and let's say East finishes second. Are the three teams they beat going to replay each other to determine who gets to replay the championship against the team who wins it? Or if East wins it are you going to simply award it to the runner up without giving those other teams a chance? MESSY

It's very simple, folks: Did East play ineligible players? If they did, then they forfeit ALL of those games just like Timpview was required to do. If not, keep them at #1 in Region 6 and move forward. Very simple, UHSAA. Now all you need to do is is grow a spine and DO THE RIGHT THING!!! That's why you're in business, right?

I don't have a problem with the UHSSA TRANSFER RULES, requiring a one year waiting period before a transfer student is eligible to play sports in the receiving high school. BUT I do have a problem with the disproportionate "one shoe fits all" punishment for a variety of minor eligibility infractions. This "capital punishment" mentality is nothing short of INSTITUTIONALIZED BULLYING. It is anti-student, anti-education, and contrary to our very purpose for existing, that is to SERVE STUDENT EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. After all, this is high school sport, and NOT a death sentence for failing to correctly fill out a form, or correct minor violations. The punishment must fit the intent and extent of the ineligibility violation.
Please read Section 6 of the UHSSA Tranfer Rules which allow for discretionary ruling. For many people, there is an erroneous assumption that every eligibility violation MUST be punished with extreme forfeiture.

For East High School, I think UHSAA applied the Transfer Rules correctly.

The sad thing is that this has become bigger than the playoffs it self. The UHSAA took a bad problem and has managed to make it worse. Now no one at UHSAA wants to even look at it let alone touch it.

The big winner is the media. They could not have dreamed up such a scenario to garner this much attention.

#1 Champ I could not disagree more with your post.

You are only reading about certain coaches that are upset that are in the playoffs. What you are not reading or hearing about are the hundreds of coaches in ALL sports that are disgusted by what has happened.

I have spoken with basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball coaches and all of them are upset. So your "they are scared" argument is invalid. This is a much bigger issue than just football. This is about the integrity of the UHSAA's ability to enforce their own rules. By not slapping forfeits on all East wins where they played ineligible players, this sets a nasty precedent for future problems in all sports!

I'm sorry, but I just don't buy the "what about the innocent kids" argument.

Innocent kids are punished for the bad choices and decisions of leaders and coaches all of the time. Go ask Penn State's football team right now if the actions of former coaches are affecting them right now. They had nothing to do with what happened year ago, but they are feeling the pain of what happened. Go ask Ohio State and USC. Sometimes the actions of people affect innocent lives of kids that go to school there. If Ohio State goes undefeated this year, should the NCAA go back and overturn their own rules because "in order to be the best you have to beat the best"? That is not how it works friends. But wait, the kids at Ohio State didn't do anything wrong....

In this case, while I know what happened is nowhere near what Penn State was, innocent kids are affected by the actions of adults. The only fair way to enforce the rules is to punish the school that broke them. East High should forfeit all games in which they played ineligible players. Period.

Rules are rules and the first ruling should have held instead of being 'politically corrected'. Any student coming in out of their school district and especially involved in any kind of competition should be thoroughly vested before being allowed to take part. This should be clear to school authorities as well as to the students. When something like this happens they should be prepared to accept the consequences. Should East High go on to win the title, who is going to believe that they are entitled to it?

Let's put it another way for you Jazz fans out there. If the Jazz worked their tail off during the season and secured the 1 seed in the conference, you would expect to see an 8 seed in the opening round and a 4-5 seed in the second. Imagine David Stern decided to forfeit a bunch of OKC or Lakers games, suddenly pushing them down from a top seed to the team you play in the opening round...the outcry would be enormous.

Sure, you can argue that to win the title you will have to beat the best, but don't you agree that making the conference finals (even if you lose there) equates to a much better season than an opening round exit? That is essentially what happened here, so simmer down on those who think this decision is unfair not just to justice, but to the student athletes of those schools who did no wrong.

Lets remember these punishments came because there were two (non-impactful) ineligible players on the field. Let the kids play. Yeah, is it too bad Herriman has to play East in the first round, yes. Is it too bad that Logan has to play Timpview in the first round, yes. But you should have been prepared to play them at some point anyhow.

Herriman and Logan's anger is masked by their fear of losing to a better team. Don't be shocked that UHSAA wanted all kids to experience a well deserved playoff spot. Bottom line, the kids should be that last group to be punished in a paperwork error.

All you have to do is win on the field.

High School athletics is a mess. Sad.

Here is an idea, we can have East play Timpview in the Inelig(bowl), the game could be played in Nephi so their fans can get a taste of what playoff football is all about.

I've coached in both Utah and Texas. The UHSAA is a joke. This is a prime example. This would never fly in other states that have clear rules and have a governing body with the spine to enforce them.

The UHSSA had a tough job to do. But they also need to look after all the kids at East that did nothing wrong. I like that they tried to balance all the interest and not simply care for a single interest.

However we live in a culture that is moving away from accepting decisions made by those that have the job to decide. Does this end with nobody accepting anything from anyone? Now a bunch of folks without all the facts, and with no interest in balance, simply want the job to decide so they can push their interest.

Sadly, the people we have teaching our young kids are out front teaching excatly the wrong thing. You can accept the decision like a reasonable adult or drop on the ground and start kicking your feet.

Please, can we get one good example for kids getting ready to live in society?

We reap what we sow. Open enrollment used for sports has yielded these, and maybe other problems. It is likely that this mess is a result of the long term effects of the abuse of open enrollment. "Play where you live" should be the norm again. I believe this is a symptom of the larger issue.

Who are these supposed East big wigs everyone is talking about that influenced the decision? Did Zac Efron and Disney return to lend a hand? I want to know!

Seriously, the rulings are hardly fair for all and now many have even more doubts and dislikes than ever for the UHSAA. There needs to be something in place that penalizes those responsible instead of the innocent parties like the players who did nothing other than go to school and play on the team. It's like I said before, if a team has a player that cheats on a test at school or gets caught shoplifting or something to that effect, only that player gets kicked off, not the whole team. Why then should the whole team have their season ruined because some AD or coach had their head in the stars? I only bring this up to have further thought about maybe having some kind of rule that punishes the guilty, not the innocent. Or are all players on a team guilty by association if an ineligible player plays, whether they know he's ineligible or not? I

When I played football my school told us if we were facing becoming in eligible. And they worked with us to get things straighten out. If we were ineligible, we were told, even pulled out of class and told. That's between the parents, students and the school. And if a team played a player, you forfeited. No reprieve, no one overturned it.

The punishment fit the first time. Now it's a poor lesson to the youth of the state involved in athletics.

East and Timpview should forfeit every game where an ineligible player participated. Really simple then let the chips fall where they may. There is no excuse for coaches, athletic directors and principals not knowing the rules. Every player who did not play at East and Timpview last year and is not an incoming freshmen or sophomore who did not play UHSAA sanctioned sports last year should have had paperwork done on them before they ever played. This is not rocket science, and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

The East coaches and administrators should explain to their students and patrons how their mistake has cost their school playoff opportunities this season. Other schools and their students are being impacted unfairly by this decision to protect a school who broke the rules.

Stop crying about it and just play the game.

Will someone please post what the right answer here is?

One team was being punished for an adults mistakes. Tell me that the kids on the team had any clue? They did exactly what they were asked to do. Coach even pulled out more than he needed to once he found out just to be sure. You can not punish kids for an adults "error". I do not think it was intentional. (Nor were they good players)

On the other hand you have rules. Again letter of the law vs what is right. Should they be enforced 100%? Good question but for those that break small laws and not get caught (say going over 5 MPH etc) think again. I am not throwing the first stone.

Playoffs? I agree that it seems a bit unfair for the teams that play East. But what should they do? Maybe top seed with no home games?

So if someone has the right answer please let me know because this looks like the rest of our county and an upcoming election. Everyone seems to have their own opinion yet we seem to be split almost 50 50 on what is right.

I agree with JSB. The BOT probably had East supporters on it, or were influenced by East people with clout. Sad, but true. I would like to know who was on the Board as well, but don't suppose UHSAA will be releasing that anytime soon. Meanwhile, sorry East, but Herriman just got my support. I really don't care if 120 players were innocent, you might win the battle, but you have already lost the war.

JSB - if we drop football, where are schools going to get the money to support academic programs? Football and basketball provide lots of it, not easy to replace.

Again I say, eligible players at East are being rewarded wins by participation of ineligible players. Is that the honest thing to do? No that is wrong.

I think the UHSAA did not take into consideration how this would unite fans, coaches and players of other schools.

The new UHSAA mission statement: It's ok to cheat, we will only slap your hand.

Any of you that state to play the best you have to beat the best don't really get it.

Yes what you say is absolutely true, but not in context. I am sure Both Herriman and Logan would be willing to play East/Timpview, but it's about playing into the playoffs. Making it to the "turf".

Say in an alternate world Herriman plays East at Rice Eccles and loses (probably the outcome) at least they can say we won a few playoff games and made it to RES. They will talk about playing on the turf for years to come. Conversely they now play East (the #4 seed, righhhht) and lose in the first round (probably the outcome) what memories do they take from their season? WHY should Herriman players have to have their potential memories taken because a board felt bad for East? THAT'S the Point. Not that Herriman doesn't want to play East. Its time and place. Especially in Herriman's case its a brand new school (3 years) its building a program, its about accomplishments, not just winning state but making to the turf. They have been robbed of that.

@ Ted... hahaha Thanks. You would be suprised at how many people don't get it.

I am a graduate of East High and acknowledge that East has a lot of influential alumni (I'm not among the influential ones). I suspect some people caved to political or some other kind of pressure from influential people so that East got this break. It's a sad lesson to the students all over the state: it isn't what's right or just or legal, it's who has the political clout in Utah. The whole state would be better off if we just dropped football and devoted time to education instead.

While I hate to support the actual board of the UHSAA, Cuff and team did make the proper decisions in both schools cases. They were overturned by the Trustees of the UHSAA. Something needs to be done to put pressure on these people and/or their businesses for their actions. WHo are they and what companies do they run. Let protest their businesses and vote with our wallets if they don't flip flop back to the correct decision to apply the rules fairly and equitably across all schools.

I agree with Timpanogos head coach Ed Larsen who pointed out, those who don't understand why it's a problem don't understand competition or how successful programs are built.

Herriman was the first team in 5A history to make the state playoffs in their first year. In their 2nd year they had to play a playoff game to get in, then lost in the first round again to Logan the eventual state champion.

This year they were seeded 1st in their devision, expecting to have an easier first round opponent - thus making it past the 1st round and possibly even into the finals & eventual state championship. Now with the decision of the UHSAA, they find themselfs again facing the top team in the state. All the victories, all the work, all the preparation apparently went for naught because the UHSAA in grapling for a merciful decision for east completely lost sight of the terrible effect it would have on the tournament seedings. I have no problem with them letting East play - messing with the seedings, however shows a serious lack of insensitivity to all the other teams/kids involved.

First off I agree the original ruling shouldn't have been overturned. You play in eligible players your forfeit the games they played in. Cut and dry simple as that. Secondly I feel that to be the best you have to beat the best. Logan proved just two weeks ago that mighty East was beatable. Just as life wasn't fair for all the other East players after the initial ruling life has continued to be unfair to Mt. Crest by having to play arguably the best team in the state. Life isn't fair and while I think the UHSAA was correct to levy the original consequences and the board who overturned that decision was way out of line people can whine and complain about it or start preparing to defeat East.

Re: " I fell off a sofa " Great comment board name! Yea, the UHSAA has definitely had their work cut out for them in 2012 with all the decisions they have had to make. It would be tough to be on that board and make these decisions.

For those who keep saying that this is done everyday in our legal system. You have no idea what you are talking about. There is no set punishment for a crime in the court's of law. So when a judge and jury decide different punishments in different cases, it is all based on evidence. That is what sways judge's and jury's.

In the case of East. The rules are printed black and white, play an inelgible player and you forfeit every game in which that player participated. I will not say East cheated. What I will say, is they knew about it and tried to cover it. They got caught. In the transcripts of the hearing East High stated that they were unsure of what actually to do. So instead of assuming you are right, make a call. Had you done that, everything would have been fine. The punishment is for East, not select individuals. East is one as a whole. They should be out.

And for those of you who say nobody knows what really happened. The transcript of the hearing was posted. So we know, you don't because you didn't read it.

I don't think anyone who has dealt with the UHSAA has much faith in them.

@D-News: How does this comment violate your rules? It is just about the most innocuous thing I have seen posted about this topic.....

Smells like home cooking to me.....

Yea, maybe we should call a special session of the legislature every sports season so they can decide who broke the rules. Who will hire, schedule, and pay the game officials.

This is NOT the legal system per se. We are talking about rules and regulations which, in sports, are to be applied in a consistent manner. What if a referee decided that a holding penalty was warranted but since "It wasn't that bad" the penalty would only be 7 yards instead of 10.

What, in the long run, is being taught to the athletes? Justice will be served if East loses and they do not get a State championship. Logan stomped East and will beat Timpview this week.

Do not look past the fact that the original decision was that East forfeit the wins due to violation.
There was no compelling "new" evidence presented to allow the overturn of the rule 24 hours later, the governing body just caved in to a bunch of tears.

While it is true that you have to beat the best to become state champions, there is a policy in place to set up the seeding of the brackets so that the best 2 teams meet in the finals (based upon region records) not in the first round.

Remember most teams usually have 4 goals for their seasons...
1 - win region
2 - make the playoffs
3 - make it to RICE
4 - win state

This is an example of UHSAA NOT thinking things through and not thinking clearly, and making a knee jerk reaction to East after their initial ruling. What a travesty.

Common sense won the day.

I have a friend that teaches at East...and even he doesn't see how the panel could just make up something and not do the same for Timpview. What a double standard.

But my friend also said East is now worried again and told everyone to start attacking the blogs and defending Easts position. They are worried common sense will prevail. Not just the emotional verdict gift they received.

In our legal system people charged with the same crime receive different punishments EVERY SINGLE DAY. Based on the circumstances of each particular situation-with variations for Judge, Jury and Attorneys involved. This is not any different. As long as rules and laws are applied different outcomes are allowed for the same charges. And frankly unless any of us have the entire story--which I am guessing no one does--we really can not comment on these issues intelligently

"Herriman wants to sue the UHSAA because they have to play a good team in the first round after they had a three way tie for winning region?"
Wow, that's what you got from that? Well, some people have their mind made up, no matter what they hear I guess. I believe Herriman would love to play East, or any other team for that matter. This is not about that. Would you stand by while the body responsible for your profession made decisions that you felt had a direct and unfair impact on you and others, for mistakes that someone else made? Would you allow yourself and others to be put at a disadvantage because a competing company did not follow rules? Or would you stand up for yourself and others? Why is everyone OK going to bat for East, who has not done everything right, but when those who do follow rules try and stand up for equitable treatment for all, they are whiners? Did you not notice that there were several other coaches from around the state who feel the same way? This is not just a Herriman thing!

Herriman wants to sue the UHSAA because they have to play a good team in the first round after they had a three way tie for winning region? I understand that you do wish to play better teams later on in the playoffs but I also understand that the Best Team should also be the one to win state. If Herriman is the best team, they should love the chance to have a home playoff game against east. I have read earlier quotes of how herriman fans argued that had they played Riverton at home and not at a neutral site it would have been a different story so how about the opportunity that have to prove they are the best and beat east! That would show the state who they really are.

I think the reason coaches, schools and communities are upset is because of abstract nature of UHSAA's two boards...the Executive Board and Board of Trustees. The Executive Board, which is made up of high school princpals, appears to have ruled based upon UHSAA's policies. However, the Board of Trustees, which is made up of politicians, business owners, community activists and so forth, was very arbitrary in its ruling. I say thing because in their ruling the are essentially saying that even though Timpview self-reported itself...that Timpview was trying to cheat. However, in regards to East, even though another school reported the violation...that East was not cheating, it was merely confused.

This is hard for people to understand. What did Highland see that caused them to report the infraction? Whatever Highland saw...why didn't East already know about it? Then...to simply name them as the #4 seed is totally arbitrary. If you contact the UHSAA...they cannot tell you East's overall record and they cannot tell you East's regional record. East is either (1-8,1-4) and out of the playoffs or (8-1,5-0) and the #1 seed.

The whole thing is a travesty. Why can't we disband the UHSAA, play where you live, and let the Utah State Legislature handle those cases?

The panel seems to have been moved by a bunch of sobbing athletes. Dispassionate observation, but so it seems.

The rules typically call for forfeits and if the forfeits knock them from the play-offs then that where the chips should fall. I support complaints that East shouldn't be in. I support the arguments about values.

But for the complaints about the timing of facing East in the play-offs, not much sympathy here. If you want to claim to be the best team in the state, then why not relish the chance to beat what is arguably the best team in the state in any round, and even better if played on your home field?

A few years ago, the team I support was able to play and defeat all three of the other region champs (1 in regular season and 2 in playoffs). Makes it more satisfying. I don't believe East should be in the play-offs, but since they are, wouldn't you want to be the team that knocks them off? I'm assuming that the real challengers for the 4A title had all assumed they would have to go through East anyway.

You can make a different decision in both of these cases because they are different (Timpview and East). The rules give discretion to the panels to make rulings that MAY include forfeit but do not require it. This allows them to consider the facts of each particular case and give sanctions accordingly. These situations are not one size fits all. For example East's punishment requires a 3 game suspension of their coach while the Timpview coach has no suspension. This happens in our legal system every day and this is no different. And since none of us know all the details of each of these cases we can not truly comment on the differnet sanctions that were handed down