A new Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rule regarding ineligible players and forfeits gets its first test this week and the Greater Spokane League football championship could hang in the balance.

Mt. Spokane could forfeit last week’s 56-0 win over East Valley for using an ineligible player for the last two plays.

“Possibly,” Mt. Spokane athletic director Paul Kautzman said Thursday. “We self-reported to the GSL once we found out.”

Mt. Spokane recommended a forfeit, as well as a year probation for the football team, and then appealed the forfeiture. League principals could have a decision by this morning, Kautzman said.

Before the rule change, a forfeit was almost automatic. Now, if it is determined the player in question did not affect the outcome of the game, the oversight was clerical or mechanical and not malicious or systematic, a forfeit does not have to be imposed.

A forfeit would not affect Mt. Spokane’s playoff position. The Wildcats (5-1) have the top seed for 3A but trail 4A Central Valley by one game with two remaining.

Dave Trimmer