cjeffsjeep
09-16-2004, 03:14 PM
MIAMI -- Miami Edison High School's football team is hoping a day in court will help overturn its playoff loss.
Motions for a temporary injunction were filed Wednesday and a circuit judge will hear the team's case Friday morning, team attorneys said.
Edison contends that a referee had no reason to stop the clock with 2 seconds remaining against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer last weekend after a Dwyer player, frustrated that his team had been stopped just short of the goal line, pulled off his helmet.
That stoppage gave Dwyer time to kick the game-winning 19-yard field goal and win 11-10.
"There's definitely a sense of hope," said Edison coach Corey Bell, whose team returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since the disputed loss.
Dwyer is scheduled to meet Pompano Beach Ely on Friday in the Region 4 semifinals. Circuit Judge Gerald Hubbart could choose to delay that game.
If Hubbart sides with Edison, attorneys would have to then take the case to the Third District Court of Appeals, but it is unclear whether the case could be heard before the next playoff round is completed.
Dwyer has gone about its preparations for the next playoff round as usual.
"It's been a real big distraction for me. ... I don't think it's bothered our kids at all, though," coach Jack Daniels said.
Although the Florida High School Activities Association does not allow game outcomes to be reversed or appealed, Edison's attorneys are basing their argument on a precedent set during the state softball tournament in 2000.
Then, Miami Palmetto lost a playoff game to Miami Southridge but was allowed to have that game replayed because the FHSAA had inadvertently left the names of two Palmetto players off the playoff roster. Palmetto won the rematch and went on to claim the state championship.
The FHSAA never allowed Palmetto to replay that game. Palmetto earned the rematch by getting an injunction in circuit court.
Motions for a temporary injunction were filed Wednesday and a circuit judge will hear the team's case Friday morning, team attorneys said.
Edison contends that a referee had no reason to stop the clock with 2 seconds remaining against Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer last weekend after a Dwyer player, frustrated that his team had been stopped just short of the goal line, pulled off his helmet.
That stoppage gave Dwyer time to kick the game-winning 19-yard field goal and win 11-10.
"There's definitely a sense of hope," said Edison coach Corey Bell, whose team returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since the disputed loss.
Dwyer is scheduled to meet Pompano Beach Ely on Friday in the Region 4 semifinals. Circuit Judge Gerald Hubbart could choose to delay that game.
If Hubbart sides with Edison, attorneys would have to then take the case to the Third District Court of Appeals, but it is unclear whether the case could be heard before the next playoff round is completed.
Dwyer has gone about its preparations for the next playoff round as usual.
"It's been a real big distraction for me. ... I don't think it's bothered our kids at all, though," coach Jack Daniels said.
Although the Florida High School Activities Association does not allow game outcomes to be reversed or appealed, Edison's attorneys are basing their argument on a precedent set during the state softball tournament in 2000.
Then, Miami Palmetto lost a playoff game to Miami Southridge but was allowed to have that game replayed because the FHSAA had inadvertently left the names of two Palmetto players off the playoff roster. Palmetto won the rematch and went on to claim the state championship.
The FHSAA never allowed Palmetto to replay that game. Palmetto earned the rematch by getting an injunction in circuit court.