UPDATE: The judge did not make a ruling and Marco Cavallaro did not play in East Ridge High School's playoff game Friday night, according to Cavallaro's attorney.
MINNEAPOLIS – An East Ridge High School football player is hoping to put the pads on for his team’s playoff game Friday, but he needs a judge to rule in his favor first.
An attorney for East Ridge senior Marco Cavallaro filed a motion in Hennepin County District Court Wednesday seeking a judge to lift Cavallaro’s four-game suspension until the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) offers a review of the play in question.
On Oct. 17, Cavallaro was flagged and ejected from a game versus Centennial High School for viciously hitting the opposing quarterback during the return of an interception.
"I think it was dirty and after watching film on it there wasn't a reason for it at all,” said Ricky Eason, the Centennial quarterback who took the hit. “I wasn't close to being involved in making the tackle.”
The refs called Cavallaro for “targeting,” which according to the MSHSL rulebook, “... is an act of taking aim and initiating contact to an opponent above the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulders.”
Jim Smith, Cavallaro’s attorney, believes a closer look at the play shows the ref made the wrong call.
"The video shows that Marco hit with his shoulder and hit the player in the chest. That's not targeting,” said Smith.
The Cavallaros' issue isn’t with the initial call, but with the MSHSL response to their appeal.
In a statement to KARE 11 the MSHSL said, "The MSHSL’s bylaw language clearly states 'The decisions of contest officials are final' and therefore there is no option for appeal.”
This is the second time Cavallaro has been ejected this season, In a game against Mounds View High School October 5, video shows Cavallaro flagged for kicking an opposing player in the butt while he is getting up from a scoring play.
For that act he was suspended one game. By rule, the MSHSL gives a second offense a four-game suspension.
“You would think that the League would be interested in making sure that before we suspend kids, that they really did commit the infraction they are accused of,” said Smith.
Smith said the judge stated he will try to make a decision on the motion before East Ridge plays East View High School in the state playoffs.