Baton Rouge, Louisiana — The football season for University High School’s team, the Cubs, came to an abrupt end in a court ruling on Monday afternoon. Just four days before they were set to compete in the playoffs, District Court Judge Ronald Johnson decided in favor of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), leading the school to forfeit seven of its wins due to player eligibility issues.
The controversy arose after two players transferred from Liberty Magnet High, and Liberty’s principal, Chazz Watson, raised concerns about their eligibility. The LHSAA concluded that both players were ineligible and imposed sanctions against U-High, including a **year of administrative probation** for the team and a fine. This led to U-High’s record being altered to **1-10**, as it must now account for the forfeited games.
According to LHSAA attorney Mark Boyer, the ruling was not taken lightly. “Two kids were impacted by this,” he said, pointing out the unfortunate situation that followed the enforcement of eligibility rules. The LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine expressed his sympathies for the situation but reiterated their obligation to uphold the rules of the game.
Prior to the court ruling, U-High had temporarily contested the sanctions and was initially placed as the **No. 2 playoff seed** in Division II select, enjoying a first-round bye. However, Monday’s decision flipped their playoff fate, removing them from the bracket altogether, which means Booker T. Washington (BTW) of New Orleans automatically advances to the quarterfinals after their scheduled matchup with U-High.
The legal battle stemmed from a provision in the LHSAA bylaws that restricts investigations of rules violations within a certain time frame before the end of a season. U-High’s legal team argued that Liberty Magnet’s complaint was filed within this restricted period. However, LHSAA maintained that they were compelled to investigate once they received notice outside the restricted timeline.
The complexity of the situation highlights the challenges faced by high school athletic programs regarding eligibility and the implications of player transfers. Despite what was a promising season for the Cubs, their path to another championship will have to wait.
For now, the focus shifts to the implications of this ruling on U-High’s football program, committed to upholding the integrity of high school sports as they navigate this challenging time.
