Miami, Florida – The Miami Central High School football team has faced a significant setback this season, as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced that the Rockets will be forced to forfeit nine games due to an eligibility issue. This ruling came down on Monday, impacting the team just as they were gearing up for the postseason.
Originally boasting a record of 8-1, the Rockets were not only one of the top teams in the state but were also considered strong contenders for the Class 3A state championship. However, following their self-reporting of an eligibility violation, the FHSAA adjusted Miami Central’s record to 0-9.
The controversy arose from the use of an ineligible player who had entered the 9th grade in the 2020-2021 school year and began the 2024-2025 academic year as a fifth-year student, which violated bylaw 9.5.1. Miami Central had notable victories against tough opponents like American Heritage and Northwestern before their season came to this unexpected conclusion.
In addition to losing their wins, Miami Central will also incur a $900 fine from the association. This incident marks Miami Central as the second high school in the Miami area to face such consequences this season; Northwestern had previously forfeited its win against American Heritage for a similar reason.
Furthermore, Miami Central is not the only program in Florida dealing with postseason implications. Recently, another high school, The First Academy, faced serious sanctions for multiple rule violations, including recruiting players not enrolled at their school. They have been placed on probation and will forfeit all their wins for this season, while also facing a hefty $36,000 fine.
As these events unfold, it becomes clear that the FHSAA is taking a strong stance on eligibility issues to maintain fairness within high school athletics.
