UIL deems Progreso player ineligible, forced to forfeit entire season moments before state semis

SAN ANTONIO — Just an hour before Progreso were slated to play in the Class 4A DI state semifinals, the UIL called an emergency meeting to discuss the possible use of an ineligible player.

The UIL ultimately ruled against the Red Ants during the near hour long meeting, deeming the player ineligible for the entirety of the season and forcing the Progreso to forfeit it’s entire season.

“The whole season was in vain,” Progreso head coach Damian Magallan said. “We were working hard all season. From beginning to end the kids worked hard. They wanted to reach the goal of a state championship. At the end of the day, you have people trying to damage you. It’s not fair to the kids. They came in excited to play in the state semifinal. Then a call comes in and who knows what happened. Only God know why it happened. We didn’t know anything that was going on. We got to the field thinking we were going to play this game and continue on with the season we were having.”

The meeting was called after the UIL received an information that a player from Progreso had transferred to La Joya Palmview earlier this year before returning to Progreso.

Representatives of Progreso ISD argued the alleged player transferred to Palmview due to family issues and returned to Progreso after said family issues had been resolved.

The UIL state executive committee ultimately decided the alleged player returned to Progreso for athletic purposes, ruling that the Red Ants forfeit every game he participated in this season, including the postseason.

The decision came just 15 minutes before the game was supposed to begin. The ruling eliminates the Red Ants, who entered the contest with a 30-0-0 mark, from the postseason. Salado advances to the Class 4A DI state final by default.

“At the end of the day I’m proud of my kids and what they did,” Magallan said. “That’s what I told them right now. They have to keep their heads up. At the end of the day, I believe whoever does wishes bad on people in life is going to get bad in their life. We’re happy and proud we were able to get to this point with a perfect season. Unfortunately, it ended like this. I guarantee we’re coming back next year.”

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