Bonita Vista Must Forfeit Victory After Using an Ineligible Player

SAN DIEGO — Two weeks ago, Bonita Vista High School’s football opened the season with a resounding 36-6 victory over Madison, considered to be one of the top contenders in the City Eastern League.

But Madison will get credit for the win. It was revealed Monday that Bonita Vista used an ineligible player against Madison, and, according to CIF San Diego Section rules, Bonita Vista must forfeit the game.

The player, who wasn’t named by Bonita Vista coach Jim Wilson, was in for a only few downs late in the game. Wilson said the player transferred from Mount Miguel this fall and told him he had a 2.5 grade-point average, which was verified by his teacher at Mount Miguel. (CIF rules state a prospective athlete must have at least a 2.0 GPA to participate in sports).

However, the player was enrolled in only four classes, one below the minimum required. When Curt Dubost, Bonita Vista vice principal, discovered this, he told Wilson, and a letter was written to Madison, stating the game had been forfeited.

Wilson said the forfeit was the result of an oversight.

“It’s as innocent as could be--it’s a screw-up,” Wilson said. “That one slipped by us. But all our assistants agreed this was the best way to handle it. The kids have to know you have to do things right.

“It’s unfortunate that it was at their expense and my mistake.”

So the Barons, 34-0 winners over Mar Vista last Friday, are 1-1 instead of 2-0 and Madison is 1-1.