The AAA says Lamar High School can stay in. Friday, the state put the
3A playoffs on hold over an eligibility issue of one player. Usually in November we're talking about who's going to win the playoffs; not IF there's going to be a playoffs.
"It's good to get it rolling, for sure," Jim Brown says. "The uncertainty in knowing what was going to happen has been the biggest drawback for all of us."
Coach Jim Brown at Little Rock Episcopal had to tell his team to wait and be ready. "I really and truly had no clue as to what might happen," Brown says. "In fact I'd kind of guessed two to three weeks."
The issue was the eligibility of a player at Lamar High School. The AAA said Lamar was out and then the courts said they're in the week playoffs were supposed to start. So the AAA stopped all 20 3A schools ready to play from taking the field.
And Bauxite coach Jon Watson said the domino effect was on. "Restaurants have had to cancel meals that have been called for. Bus companies have had to cancel trips," Watson says.
So with the legal question still unresolved, the AAA changed course Monday afternoon. "It's in the best interest of our member schools and student athletes to begin the Class 3A state football playoffs."
So now Coach Watson and Brown can get their players ready to face each other, finally. "It will be a good football game," Brown says. "I'm looking forward to it, I just want to play."
Atkins high is on the outside looking in. Their superintendent said they are disappointed.
