Sequoyah football players back on the field

An Oklahoma District Judge put twelve Sequoyah High School football players back in the game with the district title on the line.

They were ruled ineligible after being accused of attending football camps paid for by the school.

Tonight the SHS took on Hilldale where the Sequoyah Indians won the District 3A title.  

Indian fans cheered loud and proud tonight. They didn’t know if twelve of the football players would be able to suit up until this morning.

"It hurt. It hurt,” said Tera Meadors.

She is the mother of Tanner Sheets, who was one of the players who was ruled ineligible. She fought back tears as she talked about her son getting the chance to finish his senior season.

She talked exclusively to FOX23 News.

"It was the only fair thing to do. The boys are student athletes and they have worked hard all their lives,” said Meadors.

Sheets and 11 others are accused of attending a summer football camp in 2009.

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association accuses the school of paying for the camp when it is against the rules to do that. 

"None of the boys knowingly or willfully broke a rule,” said Meadors. "Whoever is responsible for breaking these rules if rules have been broken, it should be held against the adults, the coaches the institutions that knew the rules," said Meadors.

Cherokee Nation Attorney General Todd Hembree said the players are not to blame.

"Fairness is what will happen in court. If you didn't do anything wrong you shouldn't be punished,” said Hembree.

The OSSAA could not be reached for comment.

The case is still under investigation and they will be back in court on November 7^th.