It appears the Shelbyville Dragons will enter the state football playoffs Friday without three starters.

 

Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jason Ferguson advised our sportscater Don Wall that running back Octavian Burrell, Quarterback CJ Watson and Linebacker Qay Mallard will not play this week.

 

Coach Ferguson said Burrell has a leg ligament issue, and Watson and Mallard’s absence was due to violating team policies. Coach Ferguson did not elaborate in his communications with Wall, just to say it was, “Quite the blow, but we (the Dragon team) will stay the course of what is right.”

 

Several un-named sources say the violation reportedly involved Watson and Mallard playing in a pick-up basketball game off campus last weekend--which is said to be against team rules, apparently to avoid injuries.

 

Center Broadcasting made several unsuccessful attempts to reach Coach Ferguson yesterday to inquire more about the suspensions, the team rule and for how long.

 

Shelbyville ISD Superintendent Dr. Ray West told me he was aware of the suspensions, but would not comment. He referred me to Coach Ferguson.

 

We’ll advise if any more information becomes available concerning the suspension of two Shelbyville Dragon football players for Friday night’s playoff game.

 

The Dragons finished the regular season 8-1 and co-champions of Dist. 10-2A, Div. 1. They’ll play Ore City Friday night in New London in a bi-district match-up.