In El Cerrito, California, the local football team, the Gauchos, has faced recent challenges that have affected their season significantly. After self-reporting the use of several ineligible players, the team has forfeited five victories from earlier in the year. The situation worsened when the North Coast Section (NCS) commissioner, Pat Cruickshank, informed the school that their home game against De Anza on Friday would be the last for the 2024 season.

In an email sent out on Tuesday morning, Cruickshank revealed that El Cerrito’s athletic program has been placed on probation for two years due to violations of multiple bylaws. The football team has also been declared ineligible for postseason competition, including this year’s playoffs. Among the violations reported by the NCS were providing inaccurate information, undue influence, and pre-enrollment contact related to athletically motivated transfers.

The West Contra Costa Unified School District informed football families on Monday of the likely ban from NCS playoff action, which was confirmed the next day. The NCS letter cited specific violations, emphasizing the need for integrity and adherence to rules among all student-athletes.

Under the guidance of coaches like Frank Milo and Jacob Rincon, the Gauchos have been a considerable force in Bay Area football. Currently, the team boasts a record of 0-6 after reporting eligibility violations, with their previous record at 5-1 before the setbacks. They had shown promise, winning three games in a row by a total score of 118-7 after supposedly playing only eligible players.

Despite their impressive performance and a ranking of No. 6 in the MaxPreps NCS computer rankings, which does not factor in forfeits when considering playoff eligibility, the team’s postseason hopes have been dashed by this ruling. Interim head coach Tim Johnson expressed his disappointment, stating, “Our student athletes use football as a source where dreams and goals are reached. Now they’ve been robbed of the opportunity to compete, which is disheartening.”

With this ruling, the Gauchos now face an uncertain future, needing to regroup and focus on adherence to regulations moving forward.