Court Allows Huntington Beach to Play in Prep Football Playoffs

A judge has cleared the way for Huntington Beach High School, which had been penalized for using an ineligible player, to compete in Friday night’s Southern Section football playoffs.

Superior Court Judge Thomas N. Thrasher on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order voiding a ruling that the team must forfeit its eight victories this season because a player who was determined to be ineligible was allowed to compete.

The Southern Section ruled Tuesday night that Huntington Beach would replace Fountain Valley in the playoffs.

Thrasher said Southern Section officials failed to grant the player, David Roman, and his family a hearing to contest the ruling.

Roman, a starting offensive tackle, was ruled ineligible by the Southern Section because he had not been living with a legal guardian. He had moved from Maryland in August and had been living with his older brother Tony awaiting his mother’s arrival pending the sale of her home. After the Southern Section’s finding of his ineligibility, Sunset League principals voted to have Huntington Beach forfeit its games and its right to play in the playoffs.