Goose Creek Gators Season Ends With Lost Appeal

• Read: District's Response to Lost Appeal
• Read: Chuck Reedy's Appeal to SCHSL Executive Committee

The Goose Creek Gators' season is over. The team was disqualified on Tuesday because of an ineligible player on the field this season.

An appeal hearing Wednesday night in front of the South Carolina High School League executive committee ended in a 10-1 vote to refuse the school's request for mercy. 

The appeal hearing was a Hail Mary attempt to salvage their post season chances. The committee first voted 9-2 that rules were broken.

• Read: Goose Creek Gators Disqualified
• Read: Players and Students React to News
• Read: District Statement and Details of Appeal
• List of S.C. High School League committee members (group includes Goose Creek Principal Jimmy Huskey) 

While the media was ushered out of the closed hearing, Coach Chuck Reedy could be heard inside giving the school's appeal.

Reedy said the student involved came from a troubled background and needed to be a part of something bigger. 

"I love winning football games," he said. "But, saving a young man is much more important to me"

Reedy pleaded with the committee not to penalize the team for this.

The undefeated Goose Creek Gators is ranked No. 11 nationally by USA Today and the defending state champion. They had an undefeated 12-0 season, including the first round playoff victory against Conway last week.

The district explained Wednesday night that the school let the student involved compete based on an incomplete transcript. "When the student registered for winter sports, an updated transcript was used and the error was found," they wrote in the statement.

"We will be looking into our options and next steps," said Superintendent Rodney Thompson. "We are very proud of our Goose Creek community and our students."