AURORA, Colo. -- Loveland High School's football team will be allowed to defend its Class 4A state title even though players were found to covered their jerseys with slippery cooking spray.

In a statement Thursday, the Colorado High School Activities Association said the team would be put on probation for a year. Coach John Poovey was barred from playoff games for one year and assistant coach Ron McCormick was suspended for one game.

The CHSAA had considered canceling the remainder of the Indians' season after it learned players greased their jerseys with nonstick cooking spray last Friday, when they beat Greeley Central 20-12.

CHSAA commissioner Bob Ottweill said players should not be punished. He said coaches bear responsibility because they knew what was going on but didn't stop it.

"While we acknowledge the players should know right from wrong, it would take a great deal of courage for a player to turn down a request from a coach to do something," the organization said.