Update: As of 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, the Fossil Ridge High School Softball team will be allowed to compete at regionals beginning October 13. The decision reached Fossil principal Julie Chaplain via an email from CHSAA during the girls’ last regular season game, and she broke the news to the team directly after their 14-2 win over the Poudre Impalas.

The team, who is currently ranked second in the state of Colorado and first for 5A, was thrilled by the news. Senior Amber King, who has played varsity for Fossil since her freshman year, expressed that, “we’re coming for the state championship. I can feel it.”

Four of the team’s coaches, including head coach, Dave Philop, will remain suspended through the remainder of the postseason. Walker Damge, who has coached for Fossil in previous years, has taken over in the interim.

12:10 p.m. MST: As of 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, the Fossil Ridge High School Softball team faces the possibility of suspension for the regional tournament beginning October 13. This tournament determines which eight teams will advance to the 5A state tournament, and as a result, Fossil may find that October 4’s regular season game is the last of the season.

The Coloradoan broke the story, which explains that “the Colorado High School Activities Association on Wednesday placed the team on its restricted list for using an ineligible player in Saturday’s game against Mountain Range.” As a result, Fossil athletic director Brandon Carlucci explained that the coaches present during the September 29 game will be suspended for the remainder of the season and postseason. This includes head coach Dave Philop, assistant coaches Roy Nash and Christy Malara, and conditioning coach Brad Sawatzky.

The Coloradoan also explained in their article that Carlucci has sent an letter to CHSAA, which requests the team be removed from the restricted list so that they can play in the postseason tournament. Carlucci added that, “The girls didn’t have anything to do with it; it was the coaches.”

Brackets for the regional tournament will be posted Monday, and Carlucci was unsure when CHSAA would vote on whether Fossil would be allowed to participate. According to CHSAA bylaw, “[the Commissioner of CHSAA] may consider requests to… substitute any penalty which he sees as justified and appropriate” in the event that the Board of Directors is not in session due to time constraints.

The team forfeited the September 29 game, and currently has an 18-4 record. They are ranked second in state and 18th nationally.

When asked to comment on the situation, Fossil principal Julie Chaplain said, “Everything you need is in the Coloradoan.”