This is a developing story and will be updated when more information is received.
The Norco High School football team is forfeiting all six of its wins this season because of players who participated in games and have since been deemed ineligible following an investigation.
An email went sent out to Norco High staff members late Wednesday evening. Below is an excerpt from that message:
“A violation of a CIF Bylaw involving the Norco High School football program was recently reported to the (Corona-Norco Unified School) District and CIF. Following a thorough investigation, the violation was confirmed. As a result, games involving players will be forfeited, as required by CIF regulations.”
The six teams receiving forfeit wins are Cajon, Citrus Valley, Colony, Etiwanda, Orange Vista and Roosevelt.
Norco High School has forwarded all questions regarding this matter to the district office. An email has been sent to CNUSD chief of communications Evita Tapia-Gonzalez.
The CIF Bylaws possibly involved in this matter are 510 (undue influence, recruitment of a player) and 202 (providing false information to gain athletic eligibility for a student). CIF Southern Section assistant commissioner and spokesperson Thom Simmons acknowledged at least one of those Bylaws were involved in this case. Simmons said he can not answer any questions about Bylaw 202 violations because they involve student and family privacy.
The forfeits significantly impact Norco’s hopes of ending the program’s two-year postseason drought.
The Cougars were on track to receive an at-large berth this season. But with an 0-9 record heading into Thursday’s Big West Conference-North Division game at Vista Murrieta, those chances have been diminished but not totally eliminated.
Teams with .500-or-better records have priority for at-large berths, but if there are open spots remaining in a division bracket, teams with sub-.500 records can apply for an at-large berth. From there, the highest-rated team(s) are selected until a bracket is filled.
