Football: Hawkins is allowed to continue in City Section playoffs

Hawkins High’s football team will be allowed to continue its participation in the City Section Division II playoffs, section officials announced Tuesday afternoon.

A three-person panel from the City Section’s Board of Managers met for nearly three hours Tuesday morning to discuss allegations of improprieties involving the Hawkins’ football program.

“The Hawkins players and their families are happy the CIF made the right decision,” said Robert Glassman, an attorney representing some of the players’ parents. “These hardworking young men deserve to play the sport they love. We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.”

Hawkins has a record of 11-0 and is seeded No. 1 in Division II. The team will host Grant in a semifinal game on Friday.

Canoga Park, which had continued to practice while awaiting a decision about replacing Hawkins, was told to stop practicing, Canoga Park Coach Ivan Moreno said.

More than 50 parents, players and Hawkins supporters gathered outside the athletics office of the Los Angeles Unified School District while a closed hearing was being held.

The Hawkins football program has received more than 40 transfer students over the last three years. And the investigation found “enrollment improprieties and personnel issues contributing to … violations,” City Section Commissioner John Aguirre has said.

It is possible the Board of Managers will take future action against Hawkins even though the team will be allowed to continue to play this season.