Today was a fateful day for Cathedral Catholic football as lawyers, accompanied by a Dons entourage, represented the school at the downtown San Diego courthouse. They fought the local ruling, made by CIF earlier this week, that declared Cathedral’s season over, due to the accidental clerical error regarding a transfer student.

This morning, Cathedral’s lawyers appealed the decision and argued that CIF had two contradictory rules concerning the transfer. Cathedral hoped for an injunction– which would basically clear Cathedral until after the season ends, when Don’s representatives would travel to Sacramento and present the case to the state CIF board. With an injunction, Cathedral would have been permitted to play against Serra tonight.

About forty-five players on the Cathedral football team went along to the court hearing and held their breath all day waiting for the final decision. “The lawyers did a really good job,” said senior quarterback Garrett Bogart. “I’m trying to be optimistic about what will happen,” he added. The players expected to hear the news at lunch time, but the case stretched on until about 3 p.m., when, after much deliberation, Cathedral’s appeal was denied.