Top 8-Man South seed Strong ends season via forfeit

Strong was the No. 1 seed in the sanctioned south division

The Strong-Huttig School District announced Friday morning that its football team will forfeit the sanctioned semifinal playoff matchup that was originally scheduled for tonight at home against Spring Hill due to the use of an ineligible player. 

Shortly after, the Arkansas Activities Association released a statement:

"Strong-Huttig has self-reported the use of an ineligible player and will forfeit all contests from the 2023 football season, including last week’s opening round game in the 8-man playoffs.

Due to the forfeit of the playoff contest, Augusta is awarded with the victory. Spring Hill will host Augusta on Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. in the 8-man semifinals," the statement said.

Augusta advances by default after falling to the Bulldogs 50-14 last week. 

The news is tough to swallow for the community as the Bulldogs recorded an 8-1 record following an 8-0 start to the season that included an outright South Division conference championship. 

--Kyle Sutherland