Macon Youth Football Team Forfeits Championship Game

The shouting rang out in downtown Macon right in front of City Hall on Thursday night, where parents and youth gathered to protest what they felt did them wrong.

“That’s the only thing we ask–just be fair to the children,” said Kimberly Earley, a concerned parent

Earley’s daughter cheers in the Macon Georgia Community Youth League, which plays out of Bloomfield Park off Rocky Creek Road.

On Monday night, league officials told parents and coaches of the undefeated 12 and under Wildcats they must forfeit the championship game because of a player who played in two different leagues at the same time, which is against league rules.

“The season so far is what we’ve been doing is we’ve been winning all our games, ” said  Kyntwon Calloway, a player.

“They said we cheated because someone who they said played in middle school played for our team,” said Deshannon Callaway, another player.

Forfeiting didn’t go over well with parents, including Earley, who say league officials had a personal disagreement with the Wildcats’ coaches.

“These kids have worked hard, parents have worked hard. These boys have practiced in rain, sleet or snow–the cold–they’ve done their part,” said Earley. “How can adults take their personal situation and take it from the kids?”

But rules are rules, that’s what league president Obie Smith said today on the phone, and here and Bloomfield Park, he says they try to teach kids the right way to do things.

Smith declined to speak on camera, but said  he will stick with his decision to keep the Wildcats from playing. He says he prides himself on teaching the kids to do the right thing, which means showing them there are consequences for breaking the rules.

The league championship will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Henderson Memorial Stadium in Macon.