Seeking Eligibility, 3 Mounties Appeal

Montclair Prep football players Leland Sparks, Rusty Savage and Cardell Henderson filed formal appeals with the Southern Section on Tuesday in attempts to gain athletic eligibility for this season. The Southern Section is expected to rule next week, meaning that the seniors will miss Friday’s game against St. Monica at Culver City.

The Southern Section last week denied each player’s request for a fifth year of eligibility the morning of the Mounties’ season-opening game in Hawaii. Montclair Prep lost to Farrington, 28-7, Thursday.

Each player repeated a grade upon entrance to Montclair Prep for academic reasons, Mountie Coach George Giannini said.

“It was no secret,” Giannini said. “We knew we were going to have to petition. I thought the petitions would be approved.”

If the appeals are denied, the players’ families may seek legal action, Giannini said.

Sparks is the cousin of Derek Sparks, a senior running back and one of the area’s top college prospects. Leland played quarterback last season, when Montclair Prep finished 12-1, but he moved to flanker during the summer. Savage is a two-way lineman who saw extensive action last season. Henderson, a backup running back last year, also worked out at wide receiver this summer.