CMS Taking Another Look At Independence's Football Team

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials are taking another look at Independence High School football players to make sure all meet eligibility requirements.

Independence is the last CMS team left in the state playoffs. Two players were removed from the team before earlier playoff games after they were discovered to be ineligible because they do not actually live in the school’s attendance zone.

CMS has been plagued with eligibility problems this year. First South Mecklenburg High School’s football team had to forfeit its season when a player was found ineligible and the district discovered the school knew about it. Then the ineligible players were discovered at Independence and one was found at West Charlotte High School. Three members of West Charlotte’s athletic department are now suspended while CMS investigators look into whether or not they helped a student use an address that wasn’t his in order to play.

Last week a swimmer at Providence High School and a basketball player at South Mecklenburg High School were also ruled ineligible. The basketball player was not meeting attendance requirements.

CMS spokeswoman Nora Carr said no decision will be made immediately about policy changes, but the district may have a plan in place before the winter break.

Independence will play for the state title against New Bern High School on Saturday in Winston-Salem.