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Proviso East forfeits four victories

Proviso East's football team planned for a Friday game at Willowbrook with a share of the West Suburban Gold title on the line.

Those plans changed on Wednesday.

The IHSA announced Proviso East will forfeit four of its six victories for using an ineligible player. That means the Pirates fall from 6-2 overall to 2-6, including a 1-4 record in the Gold.

"Information was recently brought to the administration at Proviso East High School regarding the potential use of an ineligible student-athlete on its football team," IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement. "After a joint investigation by Proviso East and the IHSA, it was determined that the student-athlete was in fact ineligible for noncompliance with multiple IHSA bylaws."

Proviso East will not be making its first playoff appearance since 2008 and just its third overall. In addition, Willowbrook is the outright Gold champion for a third straight year regardless of Friday's outcome against the Pirates.

Proviso East forfeits its victories against North Chicago, Addison Trail, Leyden and Morton. Addison Trail improves to 2-6. Leyden is now 3-5.

Playoff points - a postseason seeding tiebreaker representing the total number of wins by opponents on a team's schedule - also change for several teams. Downers Grove South and Willowbrook lose a point, while Glenbard West gains 2 points and Hinsdale Central and Conant gain 1 point apiece.

Because the ineligible player didn't compete during Weeks 7 and 8, Proviso East retains those victories. That includes an 8-7 win over Hinsdale South in Week 7 that will keep the Hornets at 3-5 and likely out of contention for a playoff berth.

"The IHSA determined that the ineligible student-athlete played a significant factor in four victories by the Proviso East football team, all of which will be forfeited as a result," Anderson said.

Twitter: @kevin_schmit

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