I-Team: From the Gridiron to the Courtoom

KINGSTON TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY -- Now a story you will only see on Eyewitness News. It involves a 13-year-old Luzerne County youth football player. He was told he can no longer play the game he loves. League officials say his team didnt play by the rules and he can not suit up. Now, the controversy is headed to a courtroom. The 13-year-old played 8 games for the league that includes teams from the Wyoming Valley and the Back Mountain of Luzerne County. League officials say he did not provide proof of residency. As a result he and his team can no longer take the field. The debate is now headed from the gridiron to the courtroom. The Kingston Township Raiders played a game on Sunday. They are 9-0 and on the verge of a championship in the Wyoming Valley West Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference. But this could have been their last game. One of their star players, a 13-year-old we wont identify because of his age, was not on the field. He was ruled ineligible by league officers. The league received a complaint about a month ago that the player did not provide proof of residency. As a result he cannot play and the Raiders must forfeit the games he played in. But the coaches claim he does live in the area where teams can sign up players. The Kingston Township Raiders filed a court injunction asking a judge to step in. They argue that they did provide residency documentation after the complaint was filed. They insist that the league is out to get the Raiders and called an audible, changed their rules, at the line. League officials say they wont back down or be intimidated by the court injunction. They insist they did not have the proper documents at the start of the season, August 1st. The league says its rules are very clear. Without proper documentation the player can’t play. The coaches say they are the victims of a game of political football. People we talked with say it’s a shame. Seth Samuel of Dallas said, "They should let the kid play. Hes on the team. If they have documentation he can play. Let him play." Jay Lefkoski of Dallas said, "Its just a shame that in youth sports you have to go to court to make sure people are playing by the rules and doing the right thing." The Kingston Township Raiders want the player reinstated and the games put back in the win column. The league says it has strong arguments in its defense and is optimistic they will win. The hearing is set for 2:00 P.M. this Thursday in Luzerne County court.