Tuscaloosa County football forfeits win over Bessemer City, 2 ineligible players reinstated
Tuscaloosa County football has forfeited its Week 2 victory over Bessemer City.
Stacy Lawler, the coordinator of athletics for Tuscaloosa County Schools, confirmed the forfeit to The Tuscaloosa News.
The school self-reported the incident after it was turned into the Alabama High School Athletic Association by another school system. The forfeit was caused by two Tuscaloosa County players receiving gift cards from Buffalo Wild Wings after being named players of the week in the win over Bessemer City.
"We turned ourselves in last week because for our players of the week we partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings and they were giving the players complimentary cards," Lawler said. "... As soon as we knew, we had no clue we couldn't do it, we turned ourselves in."
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Tuscaloosa County has already gone through the appeal process after the ASHAA ruled the two players ineligible.
"We got the kids reinstated," Lawler said. "They had to sit out last Friday night, and they want us to forfeit the game that those kids played in."
The Wildcats hosted Bessemer City in their home opener Sept. 2, and won 55-33.
The game was not a region game, therefore it will not affect Tuscaloosa County's playoff chances.
"At the end of the day, things happen, and this is what it is, so we move forward," Tuscaloosa County coach Adam Winegarden said. "We have to always control what is next."
Tuscaloosa County travels to Hewitt-Trussville this Friday to continue its 7A-Region 3 schedule. It won its region opener versus Chelsea 42-21 last week.
Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa County football forfeits win over Bessemer City
