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MIDDLETOWN — Today might be Independence Day, but it was five days ago when Middies quarterback Caleb Watkins learned he was free to return to the football field.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association reversed its ruling of ineligibility on Watkins, according to the player's father.

Scott Watkins said Thursday, July 3, during a phone interview with The Journal that he received a phone call from OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross on Monday clearing his son to play his junior season with the Middies.

On June 17, OHSAA Assistant Commissioner Debbie Moore told The Journal through an e-mail that Watkins was "ruled ineligible for one year due to falsification of information that was used to establish a bona fide residence."

The family appealed the ruling on June 12, but it was upheld "pending a request for additional information," according to Moore's e-mail.

The case has been under investigation since the early part of the 2007-08 school year, Moore said.

"Dr. Ross told me they had looked at all the information and that it wouldn't be fair to hold (Caleb) out for the year," Scott Watkins said. "He said everything was good to go."

Caleb Watkins transferred from Edgewood to Middletown prior to the 2007-08 school year.

He led the Greater Miami Conference in passing with 2,045 yards and 26 touchdowns last season and was named all-conference second team and Southwest District Division I honorable mention.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852 or sweaver@coxohio.com.