Five Patriot players receive their independence(they’ve been let go and won’t play Saturday)

CMS: 5 players ineligible for Saturday’s title game

Five more players were pulled from Independence High’s Patriot football team Thursday, but Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will allow the team to play this weekend for its eighth straight state championship.

Two players had already been removed from the team last month, during the playoffs.

Today’s action found three players ineligible and suspended two players while questions about their eligibility are reviewed. All of the five were junior varsity players before the playoffs began; none can play Saturday.

The eligibility questions are about where the players live. Players ordinarily are required to live within a school’s attendance zone.

CMS reviewed player eligibility after a series of inquiries from the Observer. The district at first defended its eligibility system, but now says changes will be made. Recommendations are expected next month.

from www.charlotte.com and the Charlotte Observer