San Angelo ISD and Frenship ISD React on UIL's Ruling to Overturn Bobcat Loss

SAN ANGELO, TX – Following the UIL's decision of overturning the Frenship win over San Angelo Central both school released statements.

The UIL State Executive Committee met on Oct. 13 and voted to award Central the win. 

The following is SAISD's statement on the UIL's decision:

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) State Executive Committee denied an appeal by Frenship High School concerning the playing of an ineligible player by Frenship in the football game against Central High School. San Angelo ISD and Central High School recognize the hard work and dedication of all student athletes and coaches. The decision by UIL on this matter will result in an adjustment to the Central High School Bobcats record to now be 2-1 in district play.

We are always proud of our hardworking student athletes and coaches, and will continue to support our Bobcats as they push forward in preparing for our next opponent.  We thank the Bobcat community for their unwavering support and look forward to seeing our players take the field, and students and fans at the game on October 22, 2021 as we take on Odessa Permia

Frenship ISD put out a statement as well. For them they chose to point fingers elsewhere.

Frenship ISD is disappointed by today’s UIL ruling that requires the Frenship High School varsity football team to forfeit the September 24 game against San Angelo Central. This forfeiture originates from a procedural error made by referees at the September 17 game against Amarillo High.

During the September 17 game, referees mistakenly ejected a Frenship player on a first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Despite the student sitting out the rest of the game, the referees confirmed there was no player disqualified from the game. Referees never submitted any official documentation or a report of an ejection to the UIL. Based on that information, the student was allowed to play in the next game against San Angelo Central.

However, the UIL received an allegation that the player who was mistakenly ejected should have sat out the first two quarters of the next game per UIL rules, therefore making him ineligible to play in the first half of the San Angelo Central game and resulting in a forfeiture.

Frenship appealed the forfeiture, but unfortunately, the UIL upheld the decision.

We want to emphasize that this forfeiture is at no fault of the student athlete, and we are saddened that mistakes and procedural errors made by adults are impacting the students.