The Associated Press

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Reigning state champion Greensboro Dudley won’t compete in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association football playoffs after it used ineligible players in last week’s regular-season finale.

The governing board said Wednesday that its executive committee denied Dudley’s appeal, though Dudley is now appealing to the NCHSAA’s full board of directors Thursday.

Dudley was the No. 1 seed in the Class 4-A West bracket. Jamestown Ragsdale, Dudley’s 16th-seeded opponent, will advance to the second round barring a reversal.

Dudley had won 25 straight games and was ranked third in the final Associated Press 4-A state poll. But the NCHSAA forced Dudley to forfeit its final win, triggering a rule disqualifying a team from the playoffs if a forfeit causes a change in record and seeding after the brackets are finalized.