Burbank’s Bid To Overturn Forfeits Fails

A Burbank Municipal Court judge denied a request Friday by two Burbank High football players to grant a temporary restraining order that would allow Burbank to participate in the Southern Section playoffs.

Judge Gary Klausner agreed with the Southern Section’s interpretation of a bylaw that stripped Burbank of its six victories because the Bulldogs used an academically ineligible player.

Attorney Margis Matulionis, representing wide receiver Brett Howard and center Mark Overstreet, argued that the Burbank administration was at fault for misplacing the transcript of junior defensive lineman Anthony Koulax.

Koulax, a transfer from Hoover High, was ruled ineligible last week when a transcript revealing that Koulax had failed four classes at Hoover was found after it had been misplaced.

Burbank made the disclosure to the Southern Section, whose bylaws mandate forfeiture for use of an ineligible player. Burbank appealed Thursday, but the ruling was upheld.

“The CIF office basically said, ‘Too bad, that’s life,’ ” Matulionis said.

Howard and Bob Overstreet, Mark’s father, have filed a $500,000 negligence suit against the Burbank Unified School District, Matulionis said. The attorney added that both players have been approached by “about six Division I colleges” and he claimed that their chances of being awarded a scholarship will be damaged if Burbank is denied a berth in the playoffs.

Burbank was 6-2 overall and 3-0 in Foothill League play before the Southern Section ruling and had qualified for the playoffs.