Marlboro County Football Team Banned from State Playoffs

Marlboro County, SC – The Marlboro County High School football team has been banned from the state playoffs due to the use of ineligible players, according to the South Carolina High School League’s executive committee. The ruling was made after a review that uncovered eight players deemed ineligible.

The school will face a $4,000 fine, which breaks down to $500 per ineligible athlete. Marlboro County attempted to appeal the decision through a hearing held via Zoom, but the executive committee voted 13-0 against the appeal. SCHSL Commissioner Jerome Singleton noted that even if just one player was found ineligible, all sanctions would still apply. The appeal outcome means that the Bulldogs will also have to forfeit their wins against Aynor and Georgetown, which has significantly altered the region standings.

As a result of the forfeits, Loris has now become the region champion and will receive a first-round bye in the playoffs due to one less team competing. Dillon follows as the second seed, with Waccamaw, Aynor, and Georgetown making up the rest of the standings.

This controversy began when Marlboro County decided to cancel its scheduled game against Loris, claiming electrical issues at their stadium. That cancellation was immediately counted as a forfeit by the league. Earlier this season, a game against North Myrtle Beach was also affected when North Myrtle chose to forfeit due to security concerns, although that forfeit was later overturned.

Head coach Cory Johnson, who joined Marlboro County after a successful stint in Clinton, NC, led the Bulldogs to a notable turnaround, improving from a 3-7 record last year to a strong 6-1 before the forfeit issues. Johnson’s coaching experience included guiding his former team to a 15-1 record and a spot in the 2-A state championship game.

Furthermore, the SCHSL has also suspended Gray Collegiate’s head coach for the remainder of the season for violating recruiting rules, resulting in a $2,500 fine and a warning status for one year. Despite these penalties, Gray Collegiate will still be eligible to participate in the playoffs.

The future of Marlboro County football now hangs in the balance, as they prepare to determine their next steps, which may include appealing to the SCHSL’s appellate committee.