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Saying it was the “right thing to do,” Highlands Ranch athletic director Bruce Wright confirmed on Saturday that the school’s football team will forfeit three wins this season after it discovered the team had used an illegal communication device during games.
Highlands Ranch self-reported the violation to CHSAA this week as soon as they figured the device was against the rules.
“We made a mistake,” Wright said on Saturday morning. “We think it’s the right thing to do to show that, ‘Yes, we made a mistake and we own up to our mistakes.’ But also, going forward, we’re trying to send a message to our community and our kids that you want to do things the right way, and we plan on doing that going forward, especially next year.”
Highlands Ranch won three games this season, and will forfeit all three — wins against Pueblo Centennial (Sept. 4), Rock Canyon (Oct. 16) and ThunderRidge (Oct. 23). The Falcons will be 0-9 in 2015, and the Wild Card points will be adjusted for them and their opponents.
“Highlands Ranch has always been a leader and has set examples for the Association in prioritizing what high school sports are about,” said CHSAA commissioner Paul Angelico. “While we’re not surprised that stepping up and owning this is in their nature, we want to thank them for having honesty and integrity.”
The use of the device was a violation of the playing rules. There is no bylaw that would have forced Highlands Ranch to forfeit the games, which they did prior to their game against Mountain Vista on Friday.
“It was determined that the use of the device made for an unlevel playing field,” Angelico said. “While it may not have been intentional, it certainly was an advantage. They understood that, and reported it right away. We’re working with our officials to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Prior to forfeiting the games, the Falcons were on the bubble of making the Class 5A playoffs, but the decision to forfeit effectively removed any chance of making the field.
“That didn’t matter to them,” Angelico said. “Doing the right thing mattered.”
“We’re doing what we think is right for our community and our kids and learning from it and going forward,” Wright added. “And (head coach) Mark (Robinson) is in total agreement with this, as well.”