Fontana Miller running back David Dash was declared eligible Thursday to compete immediately by a San Bernardino County Superior Court judge, according to the family's attorney.

Dash initially received a two-year suspension when the CIF ruled his parents gave false information on a hardship transfer request that would have allowed the junior-to-be to compete immediately at Miller after transferring from crosstown Fontana in January. An appeals panel reduced the suspension to one year, but the family took its case to superior court in Needles, where a judge overturned the penalty completely.

"We've always known CIF made the wrong decision, and they had ample opportunity to correct themselves," San Bernardino attorney Christian Anyiam said. "The family feels vindicated by the decision."

The CIF could appeal the judge's ruling, according to Anyiam. A CIF spokesman declined comment via e-mail, saying he was on vacation and was unaware of the judge's decision.

One of the area's most promising young running backs, Dash rushed for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore on a Fontana team that won just two games. Although the Dash family insists David was enrolled at Miller so he'd be close enough to home to help take care of his young niece and nephew, suspicion that move could be tied to his football ambitions arose immediately because Miller is a perennial playoff team.

Fontana coach Lance Ozier and Miller coach Jeff Steinberg declined comment, and David Dash Sr. did not return messages left on his cell phone.

Reach Jeff Eisenberg at 951-368-9357 or jeisenberg@PE.com