Eligibility Scandals Change Oklahoma High School Playoffs

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The first round of Oklahoma high school football playoffs kicks off tonight but some teams are sidelined after eligibility scandals rocked their athletic programs. 

East Central is the only Tulsa high school hosting a playoff game, every other team is playing away tonight and one of the city's shining stars is out all together. 

Booker T. Washington High School is not in the playoffs this year after two scandals rocked that school's athletic department. 

Six players were found in eligible because of residency issues, five of them are on the football team. 

11/11/2009 Related story: OSSAA Imposes No Further Penalties On Booker T. Washington

Then an internal investigation found another 37 athletes from four different sports; cross-country, softball, volleyball, and football were academically ineligible at one time and allowed to play. 

The head coach is out of a job, and the principal has been re-assigned. 

But Booker T. Washington isn't the only school suffering the consequences this playoff season. 

Sand Springs had to forfeit a few games because of eligibility problems.  A student athlete hadn't signed the right paperwork. 

11/5/2009 Related story: Sand Springs Football Player Ruled Ineligible

As a result Claremore, a team that lost to Sand Springs, is now in the playoffs. 

And then there is Jenks High School, the first scandal that came to light this year. 

An internal investigation found recruiting violations. 

10/30/2009 Related story: Jenks Athletic Department Investigation Costs Nearly $30,000

The head coach Allen Trimble suspended himself for the rest of the season. 

The school is still in the playoffs, and an interim coach Loren Montgomery is leading the way. 

For the latest on tonight's playoff games check out OKBlitz.com.