Judge Issues Restraining Order Putting OK Playoff Game On Hold

OKCPS attorneys say the only way to correct the issue is to either play the last part of the game, or play the game again in its entirety.

Thursday, December 4th 2014, 9:59 pm

By: News 9


A judge grants a restraining order sought by Oklahoma City Public Schools. That means Locust Grove will not advance in the playoffs, just yet.

This is after a controversial penalty call last Friday between Douglass High and Locust Grove.

The actual injunction won't be heard until next Thursday. Both sides say they hope to get the issue resolved quickly.

“Both teams are harmed in this, and we want to make sure that it's a fair situation for both teams,” said OKCPS Athletic Director, Keith Sinor.

The Douglass Trojans scored a touchdown to take a 25-20 lead with a minute to play in Friday's playoff game, but the touchdown was disallowed because of a sideline penalty.

"I think people need to move on. If it's a mistake by the ref then it's a mistake by the ref,” said Tulsa area resident, Dustin Conley.

The touchdown was taken away, and Locust Grove went on to win the game 20-19 and were to advance to the state semifinals.

12/4/2014 Related Story: Judge Grants Restraining Order Preventing Locust Grove From Advancing In Playoffs

“So far, no one has offered any proposal that I believe truly corrects that mistake without creating some additional harms for the other schools and the other kids,” said OSSAA attorney, Mark Grossman.

“We're talking about one game here, we're not talking about all of the playoffs, so even though there is some harm, it is relatively confined here,” said OKCPS general council, Brandon Carey.

OKCPS attorneys say the only way to correct the issue is to either play the last part of the game, or play the game again in its entirety.

“We hope to get it resolved quickly and we hope that it resolved in the right way, what's best for everybody,” said Carey.

"It's just disappointing that Oklahoma City Public Schools will waste taxpayers money on this instead of just saying, hey we lost, and except the rules,” said Locust Grove's head football coach, Matt Hennesy.

Hennesy says he still has faith in the court system and believes the outcome will be in their favor.

“We're still going to be playing Heritage Hall next Friday instead of this Friday," said Hennesy.

“It's always a difficult situation. Obviously it's something the OSSAA would prefer to avoid if at all possible,” said Grossman.

On the other side of the bracket, Kingfisher and Cushing will still play their semifinal game Friday night at 7 in Stillwater.

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