Football: Unbeaten Hawkins is under investigation by City Section and LAUSD

Unbeaten Hawkins (9-0), expected to be the No. 1 seed for the City Section Division II football playoffs when pairings are announced on Saturday, is under investigation by the City Section and Los Angeles Unified School District for possible ineligible players, section and district officials confirmed on Thursday.

City Section Commissioner John Aguirre and LAUSD Athletics Coordinator Trent Cornelius said they were uncertain if the investigation would be completed before Saturday. The investigation has been ongoing for several weeks. Any ineligible players discovered after Saturday won’t prevent Hawkins from participating but could affect future participation.

Hawkins was banned from the 2015 playoffs after playing ineligible players during the 2014 playoffs. Hawkins has had more than 40 football players transfer into the school over the last three seasons, according to City Section transfer records.

“Nothing has been disclosed at this point,” Cornelius said.

If any ineligible player is found, school officials would have the opportunity to address the allegation.

This is the second major investigation involving the City Section this season over ineligible players. South Gate had to forfeit five victories because of ineligible players and was banned from this season’s Division I playoffs.

South Gate is appealing this season’s ban on Friday. A three-person appeals panel will hear the case.

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