MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Martinsburg won’t have to forfeit wins, after all.
WVSSAC executive director Gary Ray said Monday that Bulldogs’ quarterback Malique Watkins has now been ruled eligible.
The senior was initially ruled ineligible by the SSAC last month, according to W.V.C.S.R 127-2-5.3.a, which states: “A student held back one year on sixth, seventh, or eighth grade without failing shall lose the fourth year of eligibility after entering ninth grade.”
A court injunction had allowed Watkins to continue playing, despite being ruled ineligible. The SSAC last Thursday held a hearing with Watkins on the matter, where Ray says new information was revealed.
“We have brought some closure to it,” Ray said. “In the hearing last week, information came out that he was actually retained according to county policy – that being the case, he is in fact eligible. He was retained and confirmed by the central office, based upon Berkeley County policy.
“This information had not been available to me earlier until we had the hearing,” Ray continued. “After the hearing, we were able to make the final determination.”
Martinsburg is currently 7-1 on the season, ranked No. 4 in last week’s SSAC ratings.