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Riggins Reverses Field, Will Play for Calabasas : Prep football: Senior running back says he will abandon his efforts to transfer to Agoura.

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

Running back Damon Riggins said Wednesday that he will re-enroll at Calabasas High and play football for the Coyotes.

Riggins disclosed his plans after he met Wednesday with Calabasas Coach Larry Edwards. The player originally had sought a transfer to Agoura and had been practicing with the Chargers for more than three weeks.

Last week, officials at both schools denied the senior’s transfer bid because he had not moved out of Calabasas’ attendance area, which is requisite for an intra-district transfer.

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Riggins, a second-team All-Frontier League selection, continued to practice with Agoura while he considered an appeal. Tuesday, Calabasas officials stood by their original decision, and Dean Crowley of the Southern Section office said it was not likely Riggins would retain his eligibility at Agoura.

Under Southern Section rules, a transferring student must change residence to retain athletic eligibility.

“When I heard that, I decided to stay at Calabasas,” Riggins said. “I’m not disappointed. I’d be happier at Agoura, but I’m happy at Calabasas.”

Riggins’ uncle, Bill Leverette, said that the family was unaware of the Las Virgenes Unified School District’s intra-district transfer procedures.

Riggins (5-foot-10, 175 pounds) led Calabasas (1-9) with 660 rushing yards last season but was indefinitely suspended from the team after an on-campus incident last spring. He will rejoin the team under certain restrictions.

“The team voted to accept him back,” Edwards said. “He was told his behavior problems will not be tolerated and that he will have to work like everybody else. He accepted that.”

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Riggins attended Calabasas’ practice Wednesday, but did not participate because Edwards wants to confirm Riggins’ eligibility. Under Southern Section rules, Riggins must have at least 10 days of practice before he can compete in a game.

“I know he was at Agoura’s practices, but I’m not sure if he actually practiced,” Edwards said.

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