By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

St. Cloud High must forfeit football victories against Gateway and Agape Christian and pay a $500 fine after the Florida High School Athletic Association Thursday determined that the Bulldogs used an ineligible player during its first five games of the season.

The school also will receive a reprimand from the FHSAA and be placed on administrative probation until June 1, 2012.

The forfeits drop St. Cloud's record to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in 5A District 7. St. Cloud defeated Gateway, 45-20, Saturday in a district contest. St. Cloud lost its first three games, including the Kickoff Classic. The Kickoff Classic does not count in the regular season standings.

Ryan Adams, Osceola County coordinator of athletics, said Thursday that Gateway filed a complaint to the FHSAA Monday through Adams' office that stated that a former Gateway player, who transferred to St. Cloud after the 2010 football season, participated in the game and that one of St. Cloud's assistant coaches, Darrius Taylor, was a member of Gateway High's coaching staff last season.

According to FHSAA bylaw 9.25, a football player may not follow his coaches to another school for a period of at least one year. After interviewing those involved, Adams said that the coach actually joined the St. Cloud High coaching staff after the player had already enrolled.

"After interviewing those involved, I'm convinced that recruiting was not a factor," Adams said. "It was a case of misunderstanding, of the coaches not understanding the rule."

Nonetheless, Adams said, St. Cloud must forfeit its two victories under FHSAA guidelines. Because St. Cloud self-reported the infraction, the $2,500 fine was reduced to $100 per game, Adams said.

Milton said the player will receive a provisional eligibility waiver from the FHSAA in order to participate in the Bulldogs' final six regular season games.

St. Cloud football coach Mike Short declined to comment.

By forfeiting to Gateway, St. Cloud's playoff prospects are jeopardized. The top two teams from District 7A-6 will advance to the regional playoffs starting in mid-November. Gateway's record now is 3-1 and 1-0 in the district. The Agape Christian game did not count in the district standings.

St. Cloud forfeited two two football victories during the 2010 season when it was discovered that former Coach Bill Buldini housed one of his players.

St. Cloud hosts Leesburg Friday at 7:30 p.m. for homecoming. Gateway will host Eau Gallie at 7:30 p.m. for another non-district test.