CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school plans to appeal a punishment to forfeit nine games of their football regular season.

CMS tells Eyewitness News that a Mallard Creek football player violated the 'eight-semester rule', where an athlete can't play for more than eight semesters. However, Superintendent Peter Gorman is encouraging the school to appeal the ruling.

"I don't think the student had any knowledge of this at all, none whatsoever," Gorman said. "We think this is a special situation that's worthy of an appeal."

As Mallard Creek high school football players throw around the ball today, bus loads of disappointed students poured out of school.

More trouble for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District with another football player suspended.

“Having the second year and gone this year, to take it away from us, it's just crazy,” said student John Jimenez.

Now, the undefeated Mavericks have to forfeit nine of the ten games the students played, a major blow to everyone at the school:

“Most of the football players were really upset. They got out of class for the whole day. It was really depressing walking down the halls,” said student Sara hall.

In this rare case, CMS says the student transferred from another district in the 2005-2006 school year.

Channel 9 has learned he spent that year at North Mecklenburg High School before moving to the brand new Mallard Creek High School when it opened in 2007.

The district won't expand on how the student played more than eight semester, parents though are looking for answers.

“Well I think it's crazy but I really don't know the story so I can't make any judgments,” said mom, Dawn Moyer.

RELATED STORY Mallard Creek To Forfeit Nine Wins After Ineligible Player Found