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Council High School is forfeiting their first two games of the 2017 football season due to a lack of eligible players.
"Unfortunately, we have some students who are unable to participate on the team because of academic suspension dating back to last year," said Council activities director Brian Joyce via telephone.
Joyce did not specify which players were affected by the academic suspension, but said the earliest the team could field a full varsity squad would be Week 3 of the football season, which would be September 8th at home against Idaho City.
According to Joyce, the Council School District does not offer summer school courses, which has affected the players' ability to work on their eligibility.
"We are playing it by ear week-to-week and will make a decision as to when the varsity team will return to game action," he said, adding that the school may have to forfeit more games if the academic suspensions remain following Labor Day weekend.
The forfeiture of those first two games affects both Lapwai and Notus. Council was scheduled to host Lapwai in a non-league contest on opening weekend. It is unknown at this time if Lapwai has found a replacement game.
Notus head football coach Sam Crockett told IdahoSports.com that they have found a game to replace their scheduled home contest with Council on Sept. 1. The Pirates will now host Pine Eagle, Oregon on that date.
Council went 5-5 during the 2016 season and reached the state quarterfinals, where they fell to Kendrick 28-22 at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. Council is scheduled to begin Long Pin Conference play on Sept. 29 at Garden Valley.
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