Alabama – The landscape of high school football is changing dramatically as teams across the East Coast face unprecedented sanctions and forfeits due to rule violations. Forfeits are at an all-time high, and players, coaches, and fans alike are grappling with the fallout as the postseason approaches.
In recent weeks, social media has been buzzing with news of teams hit hard by the consequences of using ineligible players. In Alabama, schools like Coosa Christian, Fultondale, and Charles Henderson have all been forced to forfeit games, missing out on the AHSAA state playoffs. Coosa Christian, boasting an impressive 9-1 record, will now vacate all its wins due to this violation, a bitter pill to swallow for players and fans alike.
Moving south to South Carolina, Marlboro County faces sanctions after similar violations, receiving a ban from the postseason and a $4,000 fine. Meanwhile, Georgia’s Stockbridge, last season’s AAAA state championship contenders, also must vacate nine victories for the same reasons. Georgia’s neighboring state, Florida, is experiencing rampant sanctions with programs like Miami Central and The First Academy forced to vacate every win this season on top of missing their respective playoff runs.
Prominent figures in the sport are taking notice. Teddy Bridgewater, a head coach and former NFL quarterback, expressed frustrations on social media about the deteriorating state of youth football. He criticized the mentality that sometimes prioritizes winning over the future of young players, as “grown men [are] telling on kids.” His remarks reflect the wider concern that rule violations are overshadowing the true spirit of high school football.
Virginia’s Hayfield has seen a similar fate with a two-year playoff ban due to rule violations, while West Virginia’s Spring Mills is also facing consequences for multiple game forfeits. Even the three-time MPSSAA Class 1A champions, Fort Hill, have had to forfeit five games for unknowingly using an ineligible player, though they still managed to qualify for the upcoming state tournament.
The pressure to win is immense, as communities and school administrators expect championships year after year. However, the costs of violating rules can lead to a complete unraveling of a season. As associations crack down on violations, many are left wondering what it will take to shift this troubling narrative for the future of high school football.
With playoffs looming, teams are scrambling to stay in compliance, but the questions remain: How many more programs will face sanctions in the coming months? And what will it ultimately mean for the future of the game?
