East Mississippi Community College’s appeal of a ruling that forbade the football team from partaking in MACJC postseason play has been denied, the school announced via its athletics Twitter account Wednesday.

The Lions football team engaged in a benches-clearing brawl with Mississippi Delta Community College Oct. 22, and the resulting suspensions disqualified them from postseason play.

The Lions entered the Delta State matchup with a record of 7-1.

EMCC is ranked No. 10 in the NJCAA poll and appears to be on the outside looking in as far as playing in the NJCAA championship game.

EMCC has won back-to-back NJCAA titles and three of the last four.