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High school football: James Monroe 10, Courtland 6 Date published: 11/17/2009
BY ADAM HIMMELSBACH Early yesterday morning, the James Monroe football players were summoned to a lecture room at the high school. There, they found head coach Richard Serbay in tears. Serbay told his players the team had to forfeit six of its wins because it had used an ineligible player. He told them they would not be going to the playoffs to defend their Division 3 state championship. "We didn't think it was true," senior wideout Keenan Carter said. "Then everybody broke down in tears." After the meeting, JM's seniors gathered the underclassmen. They reminded them they had one game left, and they told them they had to win. They had to win for their season, for their fans, and, most of all, for their coach. Serbay, who is also the school's athletic director, was racked with guilt for not knowing about the ineligible player. Throughout the day, players stopped by Serbay's office and offered their support and encouragement. And last night, the Yellow Jackets took the field with nothing and everything to play for, and they rallied for a 10-6 victory against Courtland. "This is something I'll never forget as long as I'm coaching," Serbay said afterward, his words mixed with tears. "For a grouchy old bear, I feel pretty fortunate to have so many people stand by me." After the final whistle, the Yellow Jackets took turns hugging Serbay and telling him they loved him. While the win provided some redemption for the Yellow Jackets (2-8, pending appeal), it proved costly for Courtland (6-4). The Cougars' loss combined with Smithfield's win last night will leave Courtland out of the Region I, Division 4 playoffs. James Monroe, meanwhile, is clinging to the hope that its appeal will be upheld by the Virginia High School League's executive committee today. Serbay is scheduled to take part in a conference call with the committee at 10:30 a.m. "I'm gonna plead for my kids," he said. "What happened hurts so bad because these are special kids." Last night's game was a test of two defenses that were unwilling to fold. There were a total of eight sacks, five interceptions and nine punts. Midway through the fourth quarter, James Monroe led 2-0 thanks to a second-quarter safety.
Good year for the Cougars. they lost four games to four playoff teams (incl. JM). They were in each game well into the fourth quarter (three of which were road games). Best of luck to Riverbend, Massaponax, and Chancelor in the playoffs.
In 1990 i played for Stafford High school and we played Jayem at Home, (BUSCH STADIUM) Jayem won but then had to lose by forfeit for using a ineligible player..Serbay was the coach then as well
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