One too many years

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A tough season for Verbum Dei didn’t get any easier this week, when the school self-reported its use of an ineligible player to the Southern Section office, and, as a result, forfeited a 10-7 victory over Whittier on Sept. 15.

Verbum Dei, now 0-4 heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. game at St. Bernard, has lost senior kicker Jesse Jovel for the season after he was ruled out because he has used up his athletic eligibility.

Students are granted eight semesters of such elibility, though they may attend school beyond that.

Jovel repeated the 10th grade after transferring from Dominguez three years ago, and, although this season was his first with the football team, he played soccer at Verbum Dei last season, using up the last of his eligibility.

‘It was just something I was unaware of,’ Coach Kendric Knox said. ‘He’s been at the school for three years, and this was my first exposure to him, so I didn’t even know he transferred.’

Jovel, active and recognized on campus for academic excellence and his involvement in student government and activities, took the news of his ineligibility hard, according to Knox.

‘I had to sit him down and talk to him, tell him that it wasn’t his fault, because it isn’t,’ Knox said. ‘He’s a super kid.’

In a season in which the Eagles have already absorbed a 56-0 setback against San Francisco St. Ignatius and a 71-7 beating by Compton, this may be their biggest loss yet.

Jovel converted a 32-yard field goal and an extra point against Whittier. He also kicked an extra point in the loss to Compton.

- Lauren Peterson