AAA bows to judge's decision, allows 3A playoffs

Posted Monday, November 16, 2009, at 1:05 PM

The Arkansas Activities Assocation has bowed to a Pope County judge's decision concerning the 3A football playoffs. The following news release was sent to media outlets around mid-day today, Monday, Nov. 16.

AAA Lifts Playoff Suspension

Class 3A Set to Begin on Friday

The Arkansas Activities Association announced Monday that it will lift the state football playoff suspension for Class 3A and the playoffs will begin on Friday, November 20 with all games starting at 7:30 p.m.

In accordance with court orders from fifth judicial circuit judge Gordon McCain, who serves Franklin, Johnson and Pope Counties, the AAA has reinstated Lamar High School as the second place team from the Class 3A 4 Conference. The AAA had ruled that Lamar used an ineligible player and had to forfeit five conference wins. The forfeitures knocked Lamar out of consideration for post-season participation. Last week McCain ruled in favor of Lamar. The opening round games scheduled to start last Friday, November 13, were suspended indefinitely by the AAA.

"With guidance of the AAA Board of Directors and our legal council the AAA has decided that it was in the best interest of our member schools and student-athletes to begin the Class 3A state football playoffs," said AAA executive director Lance Taylor. Unfortunately, the championship game for Class 3A cannot be played in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium.

"I want to thank all of our AAA member schools for their support and encouragement in this unprecedented procedure in our history."

The Class 3A state championship game will be played at Estes Stadium on the University of Central Arkansas campus on Friday, December 18th at 7:00 p.m.

The Class 2A state championship game has been moved to Saturday, December 12th at 12:00 noon. The game was originally scheduled for Friday, December 11th.

The AAA's legal course of action is still pending.

Class 3A

First Round

Perryville bye

Magnet Cove at Mansfield

Rivercrest bye

Episcopal Collegiate at Bauxite

Prescott bye

Mayflower at Lavaca

Cedarville at Glen Rose

Green Forest at Barton

Fountain Lake bye