Loara Replaces El Dorado in Playoffs

The Southern Section Division V football playoff field was altered Wednesday when El Dorado was dropped because the Golden Hawks used an ineligible player.

Loara will replace El Dorado as the Empire League’s No. 2 team in the playoffs and play host to Canyon. The Southern Section has moved the game from Friday to Saturday to give the teams a fair chance to prepare. The site will be announced today.

“It’s like you’ve been sitting in the electric chair, and somebody brings you back to life,” Loara Coach John deFries said. “I first thought it was a joke. When I went to the principal’s office at 3 p.m. and was told I had to attend an emergency league meeting I thought they were pulling my leg.”

El Dorado Principal Joe Quartucci informed the Southern Section office Wednesday that the Golden Hawks (6-4, 4-1 in league) would forfeit all their victories for using a player in his ninth semester, which is not allowed under section rules.

This will be the second meeting between Loara and Canyon, which beat the Saxons, 15-13, in the third week of the season.