The West Virginia high school football playoffs will begin on November 9. Fortunately, the playoff picture won't be clouded by the situation at Elkins High School.

Last week the school's football program was notified that it must forfeit seven victories due to the use of an ineligible player. Not only would that have eliminated the football fortunes of Elkins in the postseason but others as well.

Today, the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission made an announcement the Elkins player had been ruled eligible.

A release from Assistant Executive Director Butch Powell stated:

"This office received an inquiry concerning the eligibility of a football player who is a student at Elkins High School. In accordance with our normal procedure, this office referred the matter to the administration of Elkins High School. The school investigated the situation, and initially it was determined that the student athlete was ineligible under the rules of the WVSSAC.
Then the Randolph County Board of Education intervened, reviewed all of the facts and determined that under federal law the student in question is eligible for interscholastic athletic competition.
At the request of this office, the West Virginia State Board of Education reviewed the federal law cited by the Randolph County Superintendent, and concluded that under these particular facts and circumstances of this case, the student athlete in question is eligible for interscholastic athletic competition in West Virginia because of federal law.
Accordingly, the student athlete in question is eligible. Elkins High School will not be required to forfeit any football games. "