Locust Grove Football Team Practices While Awaiting Judge's Delayed Decision

The Locust Grove Pirates will know Thursday morning whether they advance to the state semifinals. A judge was supposed to make that determination today, but he has delayed his decision.

Wednesday, December 10th 2014, 9:58 pm

By: News On 6

Locust Grove Football Team Practices While Awaiting Judge's Delayed Decision

The Locust Grove Pirates will know on Thursday morning whether they advance to the state semifinals. A judge was supposed to make that determination Wednesday, but he delayed his decision.

12/10/2014 Related Story: Decision On Douglass-Locust Grove Football Game Delayed Until Thursday

The Pirates, however, are pushing forward, practicing as though they're playing in the semifinals this weekend.

At practice in Locust Grove, you would never know that the team's fate in the playoffs is being decided by a judge.

A district judge was supposed to decide Wednesday whether the team will replay Oklahoma City's Douglass Trojans, after an OSSAA official wrongly enforced a sideline penalty reversed a Trojans' touchdown in the final minute of the quarterfinals.

12/4/2014 Related Story: OKCPS Files Injunction To Prevent Locust Grove From Advancing

The judge has delayed the decision after hearing a half day of testimony on Wednesday afternoon.

"He's got a difficult situation to deal with, and I'm not surprised that he wants to take some time to write out his thoughts,” Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association's Mark Grossman said.

Locust Grove Coach Matt Hennessy said his players are not thinking or talking about the Douglass Trojans, but it is gearing up instead to play awaiting semifinal opponent Heritage Hall Friday.

Meanwhile, as football playoffs and practices drag on, other 3A sports teams are stalling their seasons.

"We can't put off [basketball] games for so long and hold the season, so we gotta start this Thursday opening up against Stillwell without some of our starters because they're in football,” basketball player Corey Hoffman said.

12/3/2014 Related Story: Douglass, Locust Grove Game Will Not Be Replayed, Board Votes

People we talked to at the Pirate Git-N-Split say they're ready for the students to get on with it.

"A bunch of our football players, and stuff, they wrestle, you know, they play basketball, and I mean, you know, that season's kicking off. It just delays the whole process,” LG resident Anthony Allen said. “It holds up everything."

The judge is now expected to make his decision by 10 a.m. on Thursday.

"Let them play their next game so we can hurry up and get it over with,” Hoffman said.