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Erwin suspends 4 football players

Erwin suspends 4 football players, By: Andrew Pearson October 13, 2006 ASHEVILLE- On the eve of one of the school's biggest football games in years, Erwin coach Chris Brookshire said Thursday that four of his players have been suspended for "a violation of team rules and school policy." Each of the players, two of whom are full-time starters, received a five-day suspension from school. Brookshire said the players could be reinstated to the team as early as next week. Brookshire would not elaborate on what the infractions were and did not name the players but said none of them committed a criminal offense. Furthermore, there has been no police involvement in the matter. "It was poor decision-making on their part and a simple case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," Brookshire said. "We're trying to do the right thing and build a program the right way. "We're not going to sweep this under the rug like some teams might. I love every one of my players, and we've dealt with it." Erwin Principal Eddie Burchfiel declined comment and referred all questions to Buncombe County Schools. "I can confirm that some students were suspended," school district spokesman Stan Alleyne said. "I can also say that there have been rumors of this being a steroids-related case. It is in no way related to steroids." None of the suspended players will compete tonight when the Warriors (4-4, 2-1) travel to defending NCHSAA 3-A champion Asheville High (3-3, 1-1) for a game between two schools with one loss apiece in the Mountain Athletic Conference. The suspensions come at a time when the Warriors have won four of their last five games after starting the season 0-3. With a win tonight over the Cougars, Erwin would remain in the chase for the school's first conference championship since 2001 and just its second winning season in 18 years.