Pending loss of state title hits Pahokee hard

News of ruling ‘really took a toll on the whole community.’

Pahokee s pent t he l a s t month as Class 1A state champions, but that title may not hold much longer.

The Florida High School Athletic Association told the School District of Palm Beach County the Blue Devils must vacate their state title because the team used an ineligible player, pending appeal. The reaction from Pahokee was one of shock and disappointment.

“We have a group of guys that are strong, mentally and spiritually,” Pahokee senior B.J Crawford said. “But just looking (into) those guys’ eyes and seeing the disappointment, it really took a toll on the whole community.

“Having something you’ve wo r k e d s o h a r d f o r j u s t snatched away from you in a matter of seconds (bothers) the town of Pahokee.”

The ineligible player, whom the FHSAA and the school did not identify, played a fifth season, when FHSAA rules require players to play only four seasons. Principal Michael Aronson said the player only played due to a data-entry error.

Pahokee had not won a state title since 2008, and in a community known for football, losing out on a championship won on the field stings.

“For me personally, I’m upset for my kids,” coach Orson Walkes said. “It definitely affects me from a coaching standpoint, but that’s not my focus. Of course I’m disappointed. The kids are taking it — I can’t say well — but they’re high-character kids, and they’re showing their class. We’re just going to move past this.”

The School District plans to appeal the decision after the FHSAA’s formal ruling is handed down, which is expected today.

“Hopefully, we would have a chance to claim what’s ours once again,” Crawford said.

In the Florida Panhandle, news of Pahokee having to forfeit the state title led to confusion: If the Blue Devils were not state champions, does that mean Baker is the new state titleholder?

“I ’ m n o t s u re h ow i t ’ l l work,” Gators coach Matt B r u n s o n t o l d t h e No r t h - west Florida Daily News. “I assume they would forfeit all of their games. I’ve never been involved in something like this. Everything is speculation right now. We’re just waiting to see.”

According to FHSAA spokesman Kyle Niblett, if Pahokee is stripped of the title, Baker remains the runner-up, and there will be no Class 1A state champion.

“This ruling,” Aronson said in a letter to parents posted on Twitter, “should not detract from the accomplishments of our students on and off the field.”