VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Running back Jermaine Marshall of Kilpatrick has been cleared to play, one week after his eligibility was called into question by at least one Alpha League athletic director.

Some league rivals had expressed concern regarding Marshall’s status as a returning letterman at Kilpatrick, as well as issues regarding his second transfer from Antelope Valley High to the Malibu-based juvenile facility.

But when the matter was brought up Monday night at the league’s fall meeting, it met with little support.

“After discussion, it was determined he would be eligible for competition,” said Dr. Gary Smidderks, league president and principal at L.A. Baptist.

Marshall, a senior, has rushed for a region-best 620 yards and nine touchdowns in two games for Kilpatrick (2-0). He rushed for more than 1,700 yards at Kilpatrick in 1997.

Kilpatrick was admitted into the league in 1994 with an understanding it would use no returning players.

“We may revisit the issue,” Smidderks said regarding second-year players at Kilpatrick.