kaorder1999
12-08-2006, 10:05 AM
Big Florida HS state final flap
Polk County Schools has cleared running back Chris Rainey of Lakeland (Fla.), No. 4 in USA TODAY’s Super 25 high school football rankings, of any wrongdoing that he received improper gifts, and it appears Rainey will play in Friday’s Class 5A state championship game vs. No. 19 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale).
Rainey, Lakeland's leading rusher with 2,163 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games this season, told the Miami Herald in a story in Tuesday's editions that he accepted a sports jersey and jewelry from a local merchant in exchange for an autograph. The University of Florida-bound senior also said he received cash from an unknown woman.
"At this time, there is no credible evidence that Chris Rainey accepted remuneration, gifts, or donations for his participation in football or any other sports at Lakeland High School," Polk County Schools said in a statement, which adds the two-day investigation was done independent of Lakeland High and with a representative of the FHSAA present. "As such, there is no reason, at this time, to rule Chris Rainey ineligible to participate in the football program at Lakeland High School."
Polk County Schools has cleared running back Chris Rainey of Lakeland (Fla.), No. 4 in USA TODAY’s Super 25 high school football rankings, of any wrongdoing that he received improper gifts, and it appears Rainey will play in Friday’s Class 5A state championship game vs. No. 19 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale).
Rainey, Lakeland's leading rusher with 2,163 yards and 29 touchdowns in 13 games this season, told the Miami Herald in a story in Tuesday's editions that he accepted a sports jersey and jewelry from a local merchant in exchange for an autograph. The University of Florida-bound senior also said he received cash from an unknown woman.
"At this time, there is no credible evidence that Chris Rainey accepted remuneration, gifts, or donations for his participation in football or any other sports at Lakeland High School," Polk County Schools said in a statement, which adds the two-day investigation was done independent of Lakeland High and with a representative of the FHSAA present. "As such, there is no reason, at this time, to rule Chris Rainey ineligible to participate in the football program at Lakeland High School."