Cleveland Heights High School is pretty serious about getting into the Ohio football playoffs. So much so that they’re going to near-laughable lengths in the courtroom to get their way.
The school finished off the regular season with a 8-2 record — nothing to go home angry about, that’s for sure. Even better, the school shut the season down with a show-stopper 29-27 win over Shaw. That final win was bittersweet, however; when the Ohio High School Athletic Association sat down to crunch the numbers on which 8 teams would make the playoffs, Cleveland Heights missed the cut, coming in at number 9.
But this week, according to the Plain Dealer, the school filed legal paperwork asking for a temporary restraining order against OHSAA on the grounds that they should be playing post-season ball.
The school believes they should have landed a slot because Cleveland JFK forfeited a game against John Adams, although the actual mechanics of that situation aren’t as simple as they sound.
This article appears in Oct 24-30, 2012.
8 and 2 is certainly commendable but if you don’t have a winning tradition….I guess your gonna have to lawyer up….
The real problem is that the Lake Erie League is not as competitive as it used to be, so their wins are not that impressive. Heights needs to get into a better league in order to be more competitive.
Allowing an adult to openly bend or break a rule does not set a good example for children. Coaches tell kids all the life “such is life” or “better luck next year” We as parents often tell our children “every fight is not meant to be fought, or “choose your battles” truth is IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING, YOU’LL FALL FOR ANYTHING!” I commend CHHS, their coaches, their team their administration and their community! In order to participate in football, players give up a substantial part of their time and lives. My son isn’t able to participate in a lot of events because of the mandatory conditioning. Although CHHS was laughed at as they stood up for what was right. Did they not know? Had they not heard…..JESUS is the judge and the jury. He’s also the lawyer in the courtroom. Nobody but JESUS.! Good luck guys whether they win or lose. It’s not about the previous years records. Tradition doesn’t stand a chance to “GOD”S GRACE” They worked hard on and off season and because of their faith and hard work….. Welcome to the playoffs. Let this be an example to my sons team who was also affected by the bending/breaking of the rule. Their coaches took their shutout on the chin while the young men put on their armor of God and sent up prayers that were answered! Congratulations Bi-sons! Job well done for making it into the playoffs as well! Something that hasn’t been done we’ve been told in many many years!