Rules violation boots La Salle out of playoffs

La Salle Institute’s football team has been ruled ineligible for post-season play for a rules violation.

The team was informed that it has been banned from the Section 2 Class A playoffs that are set to begin on Friday.

The Cadets secured the No. 2 seed in the Capital Division and were scheduled to host Queensbury in the quarterfinals later this week. However, a statement issued Sunday by the Section 2 Executive Committee said that a reported violation of New York State Public High School Athletic Association rule was confirmed following an investigation and acknowledgment by La Salle.

La Salle Institute Principal Stephen Sgambelluri released a statement saying the violation involved the ineligibility of a junior varsity player, saying in part:

“The rule basically states that a football player can play in a varsity game and also in a junior varsity game as long as he is in the varsity game for 10 plays or less and gets two days rest before he plays in the junior varsity game. Unfortunately, our games are scheduled within that two-day rest period. We misinterpreted the two-day rest requirement and permitted our players to play on Saturday morning,” he said.  

The Section 2 Executive Committee’s ruling says La Salle can compete in the crossover game in Weeks 8 and 9 and the seniors on the team are permitted to play in the Senior All-Star Game.

This shakes up the Class A playoff field in the Capital Division with Bethlehem, Columbia and Troy being elevated to the two, three and four seeds, respectively.