Natick HS allegedly used wrong football in playoff game

NATICK, Mass. (WHDH) -- The Natick High School football team is caught in some controversy after they allegedly used game balls that were not approved for playoff games.

Plymouth South High School lost to Natick by five points in Tuesday night’s playoff game. Plymouth head coach Scott Fry’s dreams of making the Super Bowl were dashed, and now that game is shrouded in controversy.

“It’s hard for me to believe that Natick nor the officials had any idea that they were supposed to be playing with that ball,” said Fry.

At issue: the football. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association says the teams must use in post season play the Spaulding football -- not the Wilson football most teams use during the regular season.

Fry says he only learned late in the game Natick was using the unauthorized Wilson football, easier to use in the inclement weather like they had during the game.

Natick was hit with a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct but they held on to win the game.

The MIAA ruled the final score would stand because Natick received permission to use the ball from a game official prior to kick off. That official says he wasn’t aware of the rule about the ball.

“I’m going to come back and coach next year but I have 18 seniors that will never play again and the opportunity for them to play at Gillette is something that was taken away from them. I feel that’s very unfortunate,” Fry said.

The Natick High School football coaching staff had no comment.