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The verdict is in and the sentence is harsh.

Or is it just?

Armwood High School has received official notification from the Florida High School Athletic Association that the Hawks will vacate the 2011 Class 6A title.

Armwood joins the 1971 Hastings High School program as the only two such actions taken by the FHSAA, stripping a state title in football.

Armwood will also be forced to forfeit all 15 wins from 2011 and 14 from 2010, a season in which the Hawks made the title game, but lost to Tallahassee Lincoln 17-14

The school can appeal the ruling, which includes a fine of $12,743.46 and a three-year probationary period.

At the center of the nearly seven-month investigation was transfer student John Jack Lightsey, who transferred to Armwood for his senior season after playing at Orlando Dr. Phillips in 2010.

In November of 2011, Armwood requested the FHSAA issue a ruling on Lightsey's eligibility. The school sought to find out if Lighstey had made a 'full and complete move' in accordance with the FHSAA's by-laws.

The investigation into the matter, spearheaded by Hillsborough High School teacher Troy Pumphrey dragged on and rapidly expanded to include at least five players (Lightsey, senior linebacker Keionne Baines, senior senior receiver Javonte Sneed, sophomore running back Greg Newton and sophomore linebacker Craig Carrington) were all subsequently ruled ineligible.

All three seniors were starters in 2011. who were found to have falsified records to gain eligibility to play at Armwood, including one who played in the 2010 season (Sneed).

Armwood head coach Sean Callahan was unavailable for comment.

Armwood becomes the first state champion since Miami Senior High (basketball - 1998) to be stripped of its championship. The Hawks join Dr. Phillips (2010) as a runner-up who was forced to vacate its wins after using an ineligible player.

Ironically, Lightsey also played on that Panther team that lost to Miami Central (the 6A runner-up in 2011).

A group of parents involved have retained counsel to consider challenging the FHSAA's findings.

Attorney Peter J. Hobson has been retained and told FlaVarsity that he thinks there is a case.

"We believe that the factual findings were inaccurate," Hobson said. "We belive the process of this investigation was flawed. There was no meaninngul opportunity for the parents to be heard and give their side of the story."

"Right now I'm still meeting with parents and gathering the accurate facts,"