A controversy which arose on Super Bowl Saturday, over whether the Village Conquistadores or the Santa Maria Panthers won the junior division of the Central Coast Youth Football League, has been settled in favor of the Panthers.

At the same time, allegations that Steve Haskins/ Conqs had as many as three players ineligible to participate in the game were determined to be groundless.

&#8220The CCYFL board determined the Super Bowl trophy should be awarded to the Santa Maria Panthers,C said southern division CCYFL vice president Don Carr of Santa Maria Thursday. &#8220There was an error and the board had no choice but to disqualify Vandenberg.C

Carr added that the board elected not to fine or sanction Vandenberg.

&#8220There was no intention to cover anything up,C Carr said. &#8220There was an error in paperwork only.C

On Nov. 19 in Morro Bay, the Conquistadores won 25-13, but immediately following the game CCYFL president Zonk Thompson of Atascadero questioned Haskins about the eligibility of one of the Conq players.

Based on that conversation, Thompson withheld the team trophy pending the board meeting held last Tuesday.

Claims were made, and published in a Santa Maria weekly newspaper, that three Conquistadores had been ineligible to play.

Carr confirmed that the clerical error concerned just one player.

&#8220There was only one player involved and he did not score any of the touchdowns. He was eligible to play. He just played in a position he was not eligible to play in. It/s just one of those things that was missed. It was easy to miss.C

Haskins expressed regret at the oversight but relief that his integrity was not in question.

&#8220The people who were hurt the most were the kids. They won 11 in a row. They proved they were the best. Then for adults to screw up and not have them fully recognized is really difficult. I feel horrible. I let them down.C

Haskins said three different adults checked eligibility but did not catch the incorrect grade level of a nine-year-old. &#8220We had an old report card we went off of,C he said. &#8220It won/t happen again.C

Carr said Vandenberg officials pledged to implement a double-check system to ensure no repeat of the problem.

In the game, Vandenberg won on two touchdowns by Jeff Aldridge on a 35-yard run and a 75-yard return. Santa Maria narrowed the Conq margin to 12-7 but Plugg Lown swept in from 20 yards out to score, then repeated the feat to give the Villagers a 25-7 lead before Santa Maria scored a final TD. The Conquistadores had won 11 straight games after losing their season opener to the Panthers.

Small individual championship trophies given to Conquistador players will remain in their possession.

Sports writer John McReynolds can be reached at 737-1055, or jmcreynolds@lompocrecord.com

December 11, 2005