WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

Dalton High School’s Catamounts football team must forfeit four games after the Georgia High School Association ruled the team used an ineligible player.

The GHSA’s ruling followed an investigation concerning the eligibility of starting linebacker Corey Smith, a senior, whom GHSA officials said did not make a “bona fide move” as defined by the association’s bylaws after leaving Southeast High School. Smith played at the crosstown school the previous three seasons.

In a news conference at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Harmon Field, Matt Land, Dalton’s head coach, said the team will forfeit its victories against Gilmer, Ridgeland, Murray County and Heritage-Catoosa. Smith participated in the team’s first six games, but two of those were losses to Calhoun and Allatoona.

Principal Debbie Freeman said the school will appeal the ruling.