Blytheville forfeits two wins due to an ineligible player

[JacketFan]

I have been very vocal about Blytheville having all the potential in the world, they just need to corral the anger. And as far as "Certain places" last year was the same thing against Batesville. In fact they had Police on the field to escort off an ejected player, that game was at Blythesville. The fighting/personal foul/anger issue is a Blytheville issue. It's not the refs or the home teams fault, it's Blytheville's fault. Heck, they had a game called off early because of fighting, against Paragould. Paragould! My goodness, how do you fight against a team like Paragould? Talk about puppy kicking. One day someone is going to get control of that team and when they do WMS becomes a very real possibility.

Until this whole debacle happened, I honestly thought Coach Fisher had them reigned in, boy was I wrong, sad situation for the Chicks, I hope it all works out for them.

[Missco]

The Paragould situation was justified. I agree sometimes they get out of control and its uncalled for, no doubt. That game I don't think you will find anybody in Mississippi county that blames the kids.The other night, uncalled for.

[JessieP]

The Paragould situation was justified. I agree sometimes they get out of control and its uncalled for, no doubt. That game I don't think you will find anybody in Mississippi county that blames the kids.The other night, uncalled for.

For the record I think Blytheville got royally hosed with these forfeits. That kind of shenanigans happens all over the state. Why they decided Blytheville should get nailed is pathetic. They punish the whole team because of the misfortunes of one kid, That is serious caca de toro.

[Hoghead2]

Blytheville is very similar to Hope. When either one is good they're very good. When they're bad, they're very bad. Then when it seems all could be going good, something always goes wrong. Those to schools mirror each other.

[JacketFan]

I am still trying to figure out how Wynne got screwed out of not getting a forfeit from Blytheville, MDX, where are u at?  U were suppose to find that out for me.

[Rampage72501]

I am still trying to figure out how Wynne got screwed out of not getting a forfeit from Blytheville, MDX, where are u at?  U were suppose to find that out for me.

The young man in question did not play against Wynne.

[Duck12]

I have been very vocal about Blytheville having all the potential in the world, they just need to corral the anger. And as far as "Certain places" last year was the same thing against Batesville. In fact they had Police on the field to escort off an ejected player, that game was at Blytheville. The fighting/personal foul/anger issue is a Blytheville issue. It's not the refs or the home teams fault, it's Blytheville's fault. Heck, they had a game called off early because of fighting, against Paragould. Paragould! My goodness, how do you fight against a team like Paragould? Talk about puppy kicking. One day someone is going to get control of that team and when they do WMS becomes a very real possibility.

I would love for you to be right. I've been around the school, helped in every way possible, watched wonderful coaches and teachers do everything in their power to get through to these kids with little success. I love the school and the kids because they have all the potential and when you're around them you catch bright glimpses of it. The situation sucks but it is what it is. Hopefully this will pull the team together and give them a focus they haven't had.

[JessieP]

I would love for you to be right. I've been around the school, helped in every way possible, watched wonderful coaches and teachers do everything in their power to get through to these kids with little success. I love the school and the kids because they have all the potential and when you're around them you catch bright glimpses of it. The situation sucks but it is what it is. Hopefully this will pull the team together and give them a focus they haven't had.

I think a lot of people are quietly pulling for Blytheville, They want them to succeed. The situation there is heartbreaking. I went to the game last year and was blown away by how friendly the staff/faculty and majority of fans were. Getting a snack at halftime people engaged you in conversation and were as polite as you've ever met. You almost get the impression that they are aware of the reputation and bend over backwards to change it. After the Batesville game I feel Blytheville is at a serious fork in the road. They can as Duck said rally and band together or the bottom can fall completely off and they end up with numerous DQ's. I'm hoping they rally.

[Missco]

Never understood why Blytheville gets a bad rap in football but in basketball it has never been an issue.

[Missco]

The more I think about things. Almost every school in multi school towns could probably be investigated and an issue found. I promise you their are kids in all these schools that never transfer out but move outta district. Just off the top of my head I know several from all across NEA.

[Grond]

The more I think about things. Almost every school in multi school towns could probably be investigated and an issue found. I promise you their are kids in all these schools that never transfer out but move outta district. Just off the top of my head I know several from all across NEA.

Jonesboro is a Merrie-Go-Round. I have seen basketball players play at different high schools in 10, 11, and 12.

[Missco]

Not only that but kids that never leave a district but just move outside of it. Happens all the time. 1 year Gosnell had a kid move in from Osceola to live with grandparents. He went to Gosnell for a few weeks but never quit playing. for Osceola. I could go on and on. It is all about getting turned in. In the above situation both school did right. They knew the issues. I can promise their are kids that say attend Nettleton or Gct that have residency in those districts but maybe because of family issues are living across town with a relative.

[Grond]

I have been very vocal about Blytheville having all the potential in the world, they just need to corral the anger. And as far as "Certain places" last year was the same thing against Batesville. In fact they had Police on the field to escort off an ejected player, that game was at Blythesville. The fighting/personal foul/anger issue is a Blytheville issue. It's not the refs or the home teams fault, it's Blytheville's fault. Heck, they had a game called off early because of fighting, against Paragould. Paragould! My goodness, how do you fight against a team like Paragould? Talk about puppy kicking. One day someone is going to get control of that team and when they do WMS becomes a very real possibility.

OK JessieP, I understand that you were cleaning your keyboard and you punched a few keys by accident. But I need to set some stuff straight.

Believe it or not, Paragould has had some decent teams in the past. In 2014, Paragould had a good team, and even gave Batesville quite a scare. (14-21, and Paragould had double the yardage of Batesville, including a TD that was called back. Game was at Paragould.)

So, in 2014, Paragould shows up at Blytheville. The Chickasaws were expecting a "puppy", and ran into a meatgrinder (just like Batesville). Game was something like Paragould 34 - Blytheville 14 with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, when it was stopped.

I was there. Did some players get in a scuffle? Yes. But it was not a "bench clearing brawl". Players from both sides left their benches; but they grabbed their own players, and pulled them apartment.  Within 30 seconds, order was restored.......mainly by the players themselves.

But what was amazing about this whole incident was the response of the Blytheville players. They apologized to the city, regained their focus, and beat Forrest City to earn a trip to the playoffs.

I will be cheering for Paragould against Blytheville, but I fully expect the Chickasaws to be composed, and ready to play. I have seen them do it before....

[Missco]

The AAA picks and chooses. Gosnell and Nettleton are why Blytheville got hosed. Yet for years Gosnell had players that lived in Blytheville school district but went to Gosnell. The Blytheville admin. does right. They took the mother at her word. She had proper paperwork. The step dad just didnt move.

[Youngsta71701]

Well yeah - then they will also hear their own appeals.

Wow! They have more power than Roger Goodell lol. Judge, Juror and Executioner.

[OB11]

It is very odd that they don't have some kind of outside mediator for an appeal process.

[JessieP]

OK JessieP, I understand that you were cleaning your keyboard and you punched a few keys by accident. But I need to set some stuff straight.

Believe it or not, Paragould has had some decent teams in the past. In 2014, Paragould had a good team, and even gave Batesville quite a scare. (14-21, and Paragould had double the yardage of Batesville, including a TD that was called back. Game was at Paragould.)

So, in 2014, Paragould shows up at Blytheville. The Chickasaws were expecting a "puppy", and ran into a meatgrinder (just like Batesville). Game was something like Paragould 34 - Blytheville 14 with 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, when it was stopped.

I was there. Did some players get in a scuffle? Yes. But it was not a "bench clearing brawl". Players from both sides left their benches; but they grabbed their own players, and pulled them apartment.  Within 30 seconds, order was restored.......mainly by the players themselves.

But what was amazing about this whole incident was the response of the Blytheville players. They apologized to the city, regained their focus, and beat Forrest City to earn a trip to the playoffs.

I will be cheering for Paragould against Blytheville, but I fully expect the Chickasaws to be composed, and ready to play. I have seen them do it before....

I am full aware of that. The week of the Paragould game King was on the radio saying Paragould always gives Batesville fits. He mentioned that two of the years the Pioneers went to WMS they trailed Paragould at halftime. I used Paragould as a puppy simply because they have had such a long term lack of success.

As far as the other situation, I was going on what Hootens said. They gave a Readers Digest condensed version of the fight saying only the game had to be called off early. I mistakenly figured that if the Batesville game this year was such a prison brawl, and they finished, that game must have been far worse. I guess I was mistaken.

[game on]

Blythville has been going downhill for a long while, losing students, and being less and less of a factor in athletics.  I remember back when they were a top 10 team in their class.  Such is the story of many towns. 

[ISU7]

I'm not sure how he was ineligible. The kid lives in Blytheville and went to Gosnell illegally last year, like a lot of kids but nothing ever happens to them smh. The kid could be a stud but he can't stay out of trouble. Well looks like a normal year for Blytheville football.

He lives in Gosnell but I'm sure Gosnell has had players that live in Blytheville.

[game on]

In some schools kids change from one school to another several times, and the place of residence changes often.  I bet that gets hard to keep up with.  School choice can get confusing as well. 

[ISU7]

This is what I found for Public schools, of course private and home schools rules are a little different.

Athletic Eligibility Guide for Public School Students
(This guide is meant to be a resource. The official document regarding ALL eligibility guidelines is the
AAA Handbook. If an administrator has questions concerning the eligibility of a student athlete, please
call the Arkansas Activities Association.  If a parent has questions concerning the eligibility of their
student, please contact your student's school administrator.)
Age
A junior high student is not eligible for junior high competition if the student's 16th birthday is on or
before September 1. In the year a student in junior high becomes too old for junior high participation,
the student may be allowed to participate for the senior high if all other eligibility rules are met.
A senior high student is not eligible for interscholastic participation if the student's 19th birthday is on or
before September 1.
Public School
A student's eligibility for interscholastic athletics shall be in the public school district of the parent's
domicile.
• Only one domicile is recognized for eligibility purposes.
• If parents are divorced or legally separated by a court of law, eligibility shall be in the public
school district of the parent that has primary legal custody. 
• If parents have joint custody, eligibility shall be in the public school district where the student
attended the first day of school.
"Guardianship" is not recognized for eligibility purposes.
• Legal adoption is recognized for eligibility purposes.
• A student meets the domicile rule after attending a member school for 365 days.
• A student can return to the public school district of his/her parents residence within the first 11
days of either semester and become eligible as long as the student has not played the same
sport in the same season.
Transfers From Public School to Public School (Charter Schools are Considered Public Schools)
A student shall meet the domicile requirement if the student receives a legal transfer (school board to
school board) from one public school to another. Board to board transfers must take place by July 1
before a student enters grades 7‐10.   
Students transferring after July 1 prior to entering the 10th grade year shall not be eligible for one
calendar year (365 days) unless there is a bona fide move from one public school district into the public
school district that the student will be attending.
Transfers From Non‐Member School to Public School
A student attending a non‐member school (including a home‐schooled student) who returns to the
public school district of his parents' domicile shall become eligible immediately after attending one day
of classes. 
School Choice
A student shall meet the domicile requirement under school choice if: (1) the student applies for school
choice prior to July 1 (before a student enters grades 7 – 10) and receives approval and (2) Has a CSAP
Form (Changing Schools/Athletic Participation Form) signed by the administration of both schools prior
to interscholastic competition.     
Students applying and receiving school choice approval after July 1 entering the 10th grade shall not be
eligible for one calendar year (365 days) unless there is a bona fide move from one public school district
into the public school district that the student will be attending. 
Return to Resident District
A student who transfers back to the public school district of his parent's domicile within the first eleven
days of the fall or the spring semester of that district shall become eligible after attending one day of
classes if the student would not be in violation of the Same Sport Same Season rule. This rule does not
apply to public charter schools.
Complete and Bona Fide Change of Domicile
Refer to the AAA Handbook.
Bona Fide Student
A student participating in interscholastic activities must be a bona fide student of the school; a bona fide
student is one who has not graduated from a high school and who is enrolled in and regularly attending
at least four academic courses in the high school. These courses shall be from those identified in the
Arkansas Department of Education Standards of Accreditation. 
Non‐School Coach
A student transferring, moving, or for any reason attending a new school where the student's non‐
school coach is a school coach, or is anyone assisting in any capacity with the coaching or training of the
school team, is presumed to be attending for athletic purposes if the student participated in athletics
the previous year and will be ineligible for 365 days from the date of enrollment. 
Foreign Student Eligibility, Foreign Student Residency, Legal Adoption, Parental Custody, Boarding
School, Training School, Arkansas Virtual Academy
Refer to the AAA Handbook.
Semester Rule
Junior High – A student has six semesters of opportunity for eligibility. A student repeating either the
seventh or eighth grade for any reason shall not have the opportunity for eligibility during the complete 
year that is repeated. 
Senior High ‐ A student is limited to eight consecutive semesters of opportunity for eligibility beginning
with the student's first enrollment in the ninth grade (or earlier as defined in Rule 7. Age, Note). 
Academic Eligibility
Refer to the AAA Handbook.
Physical Examinations
In any year that a student engages in interscholastic competition, the student shall be required to
present to the coach verification of a physical examination prior to the beginning of practice which shall
be valid for one calendar year.
Amateur Rule
Refer to the AAA Handbook.
Eligibility Check List
A student must meet the criteria in rules 1 – 15 in order to be eligible for athletics.
□ Rule 1. Domicile (Public Schools, Nonpublic Schools, Complete and Bona Fide Change of
Domicile, Legal Attendance, Non‐school Coach, Transfers, CSAP Forms, Return to
Resident District)
□ Rule 2. Eligibility in Other Situations (Foreign Students, Legal Adoption, Parental
Custody, Boarding School, Training School, Arkansas Virtual Academy, School Board
Actions, Providing Incorrect Domicile Information, Transfers Involving
Nonpublic/Nonmember Schools)
□ Rule 3. Recruitment
□ Rule 4. Bona Fide Student
□ Rule 5. Dropouts
□ Rule 6. Semesters
□ Rule 7. Age
□ Rule 8. Amateur
□ Rule 9. Tryouts
□ Rule 10. Scholarship
□ Rule 11. Ineligible in Another State
□ Rule 12. Participation on Non‐School Teams
□ Rule 13. National Team, Olympic Development Programs, and International School Sport
Federation.
□ Rule 14. Physical Examination
□ Rule 15. Hardship Exceptions

All this means nothing. AAA works with some and against some.

[Missco]

Spot on ISU...

[NEASPORTSFAN]

if blytheviile had any discipline at all they would be a contender every year given the amount of athletes they have. Its really a shame.

[JessieP]

Is there a person alive who honestly believes that if the exact same scenario had played out at LRCA the AAA would have acted? Not a chance. 

[MDXPHD]

Is there a person alive who honestly believes that if the exact same scenario had played out at PA the AAA would have acted? Not a chance.

C'mon Jessie - follow the money!

But it may have happened. However, 25 mile radius helps a lot to form a district! lol

[JessieP]

C'mon Jessie - follow the money!

But it may have happened. However, 25 mile radius helps a lot to form a district! lol

I agree. The AAA used Blytheville as a sacrificial dog, a "See, we do enforce rules (Wink wink)" action.

[Duck12]

Man the AAA makes no sense basically what cost Blytheville 2 games and a kid a year of eligibility was his mother filled out the wrong form when she enrolled him. Instead of using the address on her DL all she had to do was fill out the school choice form and none of this would've happened

[MDXPHD]

Man the AAA makes no sense basically what cost Blytheville 2 games and a kid a year of eligibility was his mother filled out the wrong form when she enrolled him. Instead of using the address on her DL all she had to do was fill out the school choice form and none of this would've happened

That's terrible. Maybe she should get an attorney to appeal it pro Bono?