Valhalla Sanctioned for Practice Violations : High school football: Team must forfeit one game, is ineligible for postseason play. Athletic director says he’ll appeal.

The Valhalla High School football team must forfeit one game and has been declared ineligible for any postseason play for violating preseason practice rules.

That was the decision handed down Monday by the Grossmont Conference, of which Valhalla is one of 10 members, after a two-week investigation by a three-person sub-committee and a vote by nine conference representatives.

“All I can say is that we’re appealing that (decision), and I’m hopeful they can find a better solution to the problem,” Valhalla Athletic Director Carl Iavelli said.

“All we want is a fair penalty. Not that we’re not guilty of the fact, but there are some extenuating circumstances involved.”

Iavelli declined to elaborate on those circumstances, but added, “Why we are appealing will become evident very shortly.”

Iavelli said he believes the appeal--which must be filed by Valhalla Principal Bob Avant--will be heard by a special Grossmont Conference committee the end of this week or early next week.

Michael Eddy, president of the Grossmont Conference, said he expects to have the written appeal today and will review it then.

After forfeiting a 28-0 season-opening victory over Las Vegas Cimarron, Valhalla is now 2-3 under second-year coach John Odom as it prepares for its Grossmont 2-A League opener Friday night against Santana. As it is now, Valhalla can win the league title but will not be eligible for the playoffs.

Valhalla was found guilty of, and has admitted to, violating San Diego Section rules pertaining to improper dress and contact during the first three days of August conditioning week.

According to the section rule book, during the first three days of summer football practice players are not permitted to wear “pads (shoulder, hip, thigh, etc.)” and “there will be no contact with anything or anybody.”

The penalties were assessed in accordance with the Grossmont Conference constitution.

The rules are difficult to enforce, and it is rare for a team to be accused of such illegal practices, according to Jan Jessop, assistant section commissioner, who has been with that office since 1977.

“We get an occasional scrimmage (violation) and somebody scheduling too many (games), but I don’t recall anyone being accused of violating the (practice) restrictions placed on football alone,” she said.

Earlier this year, the Southern Section recommended that Santa Clarita Canyon High Coach Harry Welch be suspended for one year when a Canyon player was inadvertently photographed hitting a blocking sled at school in May, three weeks before spring drills and three months before such practices were allowed.

The recommended suspension was later reduced to 5 1/2 months, but Welch fought the case in court and won.

Valhalla’s offense is not considered to be as severe, but according to the Grossmont Conference constitution, the mandatory penalties may be reduced and possibly erased altogether upon the hearing of an appeal or if the head coach resigns.

Odom could not reached for comment.