Mansfield must forfeit games, league title

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association yesterday ruled that the Mansfield football program must forfeit two games for using an ineligible player during the 2008 season.

Mansfield also must surrender its runner-up trophy from the Eastern Mass. Division 2 Super Bowl - a 41-21 loss to Walpole - and the athletic program has been put on probation for one year. Because of the regular-season forfeits - against Oliver Ames and Sharon - North Attleboro was declared champion of the Hockomock League.

In a letter dated Jan. 5, MIAA president James Peters delivered the punishment to Mansfield principal Dr. Joseph Maruszczak.

The letter stated "given Coach [Michael] Redding's continued disregard for MIAA rules and policies . . . the Board charges the Principal to create and apply corresponding consequences to the Coach. If the Board considers the penalties to be inadequate, the Board will take such additional actions as it deems appropriate."

The letter also demanded the Mansfield School Committee reimburse the MIAA for its legal costs within 60 days of the conclusion of litigation, "as a result of having to defend its member schools in this case [Rule 29]."

The MIAA forced Mansfield to forfeit two regular-season games and canceled its semifinal playoff game against Bishop Feehan when the school reported the use of a fifth-year senior, Andy Rapp, just days before the playoffs.

Mansfield was awarded an injunction from Taunton Superior Court, and the team defeated Bishop Feehan, 22-6, to land a Super Bowl berth.

Mansfield stated its appeal before the MIAA Board of Directors Dec. 18.

Middlesex: Undefeated Reading handed Lexington its first loss of the season, 45-26. The host Rockets (6-0) were led by guard Jaclyn Lyons, who had a game-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers. The Minutemen fell to 4-1.

Nonleague: Coyle and Cassidy beat Sacred Heart, 64-47, as Brenna Gonsalves (20 points) had her sixth straight game with 20 or more.

Bay State: Evan Kulak's 30 points led Wellesley past Natick, 74-56.

Boston City: Center David Campbell's 25 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks helped Madison Park defeat East Boston, 75-60.

Commonwealth: Cornelius Moore (32 points) scored the 1,000th point of his career in Lowell Catholic's 54-49 victory over Matignon.

Mass. Bay Independent: Six-foot-9-inch center Zach Johnson (19 points, 15 rebounds, 7 blocks) powered Waring past BU Academy, 55-47.

Cape Ann: Molly Miller set a school record, finishing the 40-yard hurdles in 5.97 seconds, as Ipswich defeated Newburyport, 51-35.

Middlesex: Lowell beat Belmont, 101-82, with Chris Polsi (100 butterfly, 500 freestyle) and Kirk Czelewicz (200 IM, 100 breaststroke) each winning two events.

Globe correspondents Ben Seal and Amara Grautski contributed.