Demons forfeit West Liberty win

WASHINGTON - The Washington Demons' 42-20 win Friday over West Liberty is now a 2-0 loss due to an inelgible player particpating in the game.

Following is portions of a letter from Washington athletic director Brent Van Weelden to the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

'The player involved played two plays and when it was determined that the player was in the game, a timeout was called, and the player removed. Per state policy, Washington self-reported the incident and the state determined the outcome of the game. This situation becomes an issue of ethics and integrity. By self-reporting, we will use this as a learning experience and become better individuals from the outcome.

'Our current policy is, that at the end of each grading period we determine who has failed a class, determine if they are currently involved in an activity, meet with the individuals and mail a signed letter home to the parent/guardian. The coaches are notified who is ineligible and when the individual may return to participation. Once an individual becomes eligible we inform the coach. If a student is not involved in an activity their name is placed on a list and when new rosters are submitted we check the roster names with the ineligible list and again coaches and players are notified.

'After thinking through our process we will inform coaches and individuals who are ineligible the exact game they will be eligible. If the game would happen to change then the individual and coaches will also be notified.”

Head football coach James Harris said, 'As the head coach, the mistake falls fully on my shoulders. I am very disappointed for our players and our coaches who have done everything asked of them this season. It will be something we will have to overcome. Persevering through adversity is what we try and teach, I believe in our players to bounce back.”