Park Crossing has forfeited its Week 3 win over Russell County because of an eligibility issue, Warriors coach Dillon Griggs confirmed to AL.com on Tuesday afternoon.
“We were notified today that they were going to forfeit,” Griggs said. “It’s my understanding that Park Crossing should be sending an official letter to us, but I believe the AHSAA already has updated the game on their site.”
The Thunderbirds defeated Russell County 23-21 on Sept. 3.
“I just know there was a player in question,” Griggs said. “That’s all I know. I don’t know about the rest of the circumstances. I am not the one who turned it in. Someone else turned it in and notified me. It’s been like a week-and-a-half process, but we weren’t involved in the investigation.”
With the win, Russell County will move to 4-0 for the first time since 1998. The Warriors will also be 2-0 in Class 6A, Region 2.
Park Crossing will fall to 0-4, 0-2.
“It’s one of those things where we felt like we should have won the game anyway,” Griggs said. “We had a touchdown called back. We had a guy wide open over the middle at one point and thought he got interfered with and it wasn’t called. It just didn’t happen that night.
“It’s an exciting time here. I’ve said this program is special since Day 1. I’ve been blessed to be at a lot of great places, so I know what special really is.”
Griggs was the offensive coordinator at reigning Class 6A champ Pinson Valley a year ago. He’s also spent time at Prattville, Central-Phenix City and Jackson.
Russell County forfeited its first four games under then-coach Mark Rose in 2020 due to COVID-19 reasons, then lost its final five to complete an 0-9 season. The Warriors scored just 14 points all year.
The 1998 team that started 4-0 won its first 10 games before losing at Stanhope Elmore in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.
“This place is special because the community and everyone is involved,” Griggs said. “We have people from the Sheriff’s office out here repainting rails. We’ve had signage donated. The Board, the county commission, the churches have been involved. Everyone is all in. The kids are all in.
“On Day 1, we had 35 kids. Now, I don’t have enough jerseys to dress them all out. Our administration is all in. It takes a village to raise a kid and there is no doubt there is a village involved here. It’s not about me. All I’ve done is put together a plan. The coaches and community are what is special.”
The Warriors will try to go 5-0 when they host Lee-Montgomery on Friday.
Park Crossing already also has forfeited this week’s scheduled game against Eufaula.