The Dysart High School student ejected from a football game Friday night has appealed, and won.

Senior Running Back Pedro Banda will be able to play Saturday in Dysart’s playoff game against Snowflake, the school's first in more than 20 years. An Arizona Interscholastic Association appeals committee has ruled the ejection was not warranted.

Banda was removed from Friday night's game victory over Glendale High School after drawing a second unsportsmanlike penalty.

Banda said he was praising God when he pointed to the sky after a touchdown. 

Gary Whelchel, State Commissioner of Officials for AIA, said Banda did not taunt or celebrate extensively after scoring, but officials were trying to keep control of a game that had seen plenty of jeering.

“This had absolutely nothing to do with praising God. That didn’t even come across their mind. They’re thinking taunting," Welchel said.

Whelchel said the committee gave Banda the benefit of the doubt and overturned the call.

“We technically couldn’t overrule the ejection, because that would be overruling a rule in the book. Can’t do that. So, we overruled the call on the field, which then negated the penalty,” he said. 

Whelchel said if this had been a regular season game, Banda would not have been able to appeal. 

No. 12 Dysart (7-3) will travel north Saturday to face No. 5 Snowflake (9-1).