Goose Creek Gators to Appeal Disqualification Wednesday

• Read: Goose Creek Reacts to News Gators Disqualified From Playoffs
• Read: District Statement on Disqualification and Details of Appeal
• List of S.C. High School League executive committee members (Goose Creek Principal Jerry Huskey is a member of the committee) 

 

One of the nation's top high school football programs has seen its season come to an end.

The undefeated Goose Creek Gators, ranked No. 11 nationally by USA Today and the defending state champion, have been disqualified from the 4A Division Two tournament, according to a district official. 

According to several reports, the school was disqualified due to an inelligable player. A district spokesperson said Tuesday evening the incident involved a clerical error in paperwork, but more details weren't available.

Jeff Hartsell at the Post and Courier is reporting that the team had a player participating in his fifth year after playing as a freshman at another school.

A source tells WCIV, ABC News 4, that the investigation involves a Berkeley High transfer who played basketball, not football, while at Berkeley. 

An appeal hearing before the SCHSL executive committee is expected Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 p.m.

At 12-0, the Gators were on track to defend their 2011 state title in the championship game next month in Columbia. The team was ranked 11th in the Nation in the latest USA Today Super 25.

Last week, Goose Creek 48-7. They were expected to host Bluffton on Friday.

Patch reached out to the SCHSL office and was told officials are in a meeting.

This is a breaking news story. We'll be updating this page with new information.