According to sources at Northview High School an appeal challenging the ruling that suspended Chiefs quarterback Brandon Sheets from tomorrow’s semifinal match up against the Chipley Tigers has been denied by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Sheets was disqualified from the final quarter of the Chiefs’ win over the Freeport Bulldogs after being flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties following a touchdown run and prior to the subsequent extra point attempt.

NHS Athletic Director Sammy Day said the ruling is unfortunate but the Chiefs will carry on with business as usual in order to prepare for tomorrow’s game.

“We were hoping for the best but when you just have a one game suspension there just may not have been enough evidence to overturn it,” Day said. “We hate it, but we have someone who’s going to step in and do a good job.”

Chiefs head coach Sid Wheatley could not be reached for comment but said after Friday’s victory over Freeport that NHS feels very confident in the abilities of back up quarterback Kevin Vaughan.

“Kevin is getting a lot of reps this week,” Wheatley told the Advance Friday night. “He is a tremendous athlete that can make a lot of plays. The team is confident in him, and if that is the direction we have to go in then we are prepared to go with him.”

If Vaughan and the Chiefs are able to knock off the Tigers Friday night they will advance to the FHSAA Class 1A state championship game Friday, Dec. 9 at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.

Due to Sheets’ suspension only extending through one game, he would be eligible to play in the championship game.