Greer H.S. Wins Appeal Of Football Probation

The South Carolina High School League ruled in favor of Greer High School, overturning the probation imposed over allegations of illegal player to player contact on Monday.

News Channel 7 Sports Director Pete Yanity, who attended the hearing, says the vote was 10-2 in Greer’s favor when tabulated just after noon. 

Representatives from Greer High School went to Columbia to appeal the probation handed down by the South Carolina High School League last week. The penalty was delivered against the Yellow Jackets for having illegal player to player contact during a practice. 

The SCHSL issued the probation, which banned the Yellow Jackets from participating in preseason jamborees and made the team ineligible for the playoffs. It also made 70 GHS players ineligible, before the school won the appeal on Monday.

School principal Marion Waters says the SCHSL determined that a review of video tape from an August 1 work-out, the first official practice of the season, showed that player-to-player contact occurred.  Under league rules, player-to-player contact is not allowed until the fourth practice.  Players are allowed to wear pads the first three days.

Waters says coach Will Young had been briefed on the recent rules adjustments regarding contact at early practices and that the coach believes the team was operating within the spirit of the rules.

The executive director of the SCHSL says he became aware of the situation after a Greenville County high school football coach called him saying he’s seen pictures of illegal practicing by Greer in media coverage.
The 10-2 decision was voted on in open sessions after presentation of Greer High School’s appeal. The decision of State Executive Committee is final.

Greer was 3-7 in 2007 and missed the AAA playoffs for one of the few times in their recent history.

News Channel 7 Sports director Pete Yanity will have more on Greer’s successful appeal to the probation tonight at 5:00 and 6:00