Gorman’s lone loss in 2011 erased via Florida team’s forfeiture

Bishop Gorman hasn’t played a football game in almost seven months.

On Tuesday, the Gaels won again.

Gorman erased the lone loss from its 2011 football season, turning it into the team’s 17th win when

Armwood (Fla.) was ordered by the Florida High School Athletic Association on Tuesday to forfeit all of its games from the past two seasons. Gorman officially finishes last season 17-0.

The Hawks, who were 20-17 winners at Gorman last Aug. 26, went on to capture Florida’s Class 6A state title. But a lengthy investigation by the FHSAA uncovered that Armwood had used five ineligible players, including three starters, on its way to an undefeated season.

The Tampa Bay Times also reported the school also must pay more than $12,500 in fines and costs of the investigation.

Hillsborough County school district spokesman Steve Hegarty told the Times the school would not appeal the decision. It’s possible a private attorney might appeal on behalf of parents of the team’s players.

Armwood held a 20-3 lead over Gorman before the Gaels rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns and had a chance to tie the game, but a 40-yard field-goal attempt as time expired sailed wide left. The game, which was Gorman’s home opener, was broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

As a result of the forfeit, Gorman will open play in the 2012 season with a 27-game winning streak. The Gaels’ last loss came on Sept. 25, 2010 at De La Salle (Calif.).