Judge Grants Restraining Order Preventing Locust Grove From Advancing In Playoffs

An Oklahoma City judge has granted a restraining order sought by the OKC public school district, which means Locust Grove will not advance in the playoffs just yet.

An injunction hearing has been set for Thursday, Dec. 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Douglass scored a touchdown to take a 25-20 lead over Locust Grove, with 1:04 left in the game in Friday's playoff game, but the touchdown taken off the board because of a sideline penalty. Without the points Locust Grove went on to win the game 20-19 and advance to the state semifinals.

On Wednesday, the OSSAA board decided, 8 to 3, that the result on the field would stick and no replay, not even the final minute of the game, would go forward.

Locust Grove was set to face Heritage Hall in the state 3A semifinal on Friday. But on Thursday morning, OKCPS officials filed a temporary injunction and/or a temporary restraining order.

According to court documents, the school district requested that the Court enter a temporary restraining order prohibiting OSSAA from proceeding with the Class 3A semifinal round. That restraining order was granted and an injunction hearing is set for next Thursday.

On the other side of the bracket, Kingfisher and Cushing will still play their semifinal game, Friday at 7 p.m. in Stillwater.

12/4/2014 Related Story: OKCPS Files Injunction To Prevent Locust Grove From Advancing

Oklahoma City Public Schools Athletic Director, Keith Sinor, released the following statement regarding Thursday's decision:

"Judge Bernard Jones has approved our application for a temporary restraining order and a hearing will be held Thursday afternoon, Dec. 11. We understand that today's decision will affect two other high school teams in the short term who are preparing to compete in the playoffs, and that is unfortunate.”

“Oklahoma City Public Schools is not the first school district to file an injunction in post season play; in these instances there are always innocent victims. Our focus from the beginning has been on doing the right thing for student athletes and today's decision is about more than the two teams directly involved. Everyone can relate to the heartache that occurs when you try your best and it's rewarded with unfairness.”

“Today's decision gives us another chance to make it right for students athletes and hopefully spark a broader conversation that will help to prevent similar situations from affecting student athletes in Oklahoma in the future.”