Texas high school football team fights playoff ban, parents question controversial ruling
The school was found to have used an ineligible player right before kicking off postseason play.
On Tuesday, November 3rd, Argyle Liberty Christian High School in Texas was informed that they would be banned from postseason play due to the use of an ineligible player. By the following day, it was revealed that legal action was being contemplated and parents began to express their concerns.
Greg Riddle of The Dallas Morning News reported on Wednesday that the school was considering legal action to reverse the postseason ban. Liberty Christian had been among the top contenders in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Division I championship race. Riddle mentioned that the school disagreed with the TAPPS ruling and provided evidence to prove their innocence.
The decision by TAPPS alleged that former Abilene Cooper receiver Jace Johnson had played for Liberty Christian's defensive backs coach, Antonio Griffin, and his 7-on-7 team, Lionhearted United. Parents, such as Michelle Witten, who is the mother of five-star Oklahoma linebacker commit Cooper Witten and wife to the former Liberty Christian head coach Jason Witten, have taken to social media to voice their opposition to the TAPPS decision.
Witten stated that her son had been a Warrior since the age of three, and Griffin never coached the student in question. She believes that clear evidence was disregarded while disputed evidence was accepted. She questioned whether five voters understood the potential consequences for these boys, their futures, and Liberty Christian. Witten emphasized that this issue goes beyond football.
Liberty Christian had enjoyed a dominant season, finishing with a record of 7-3 and 6-0 in district play. They were forced to forfeit a win against Bishop Lynch on October 23rd. In their other two losses to Midland Christian and Celina, Liberty Christian lost by a combined total of four points. Liberty Christian was set to host Austin St. Michael this week, with their postseason play scheduled to begin.
However, following the TAPPS decision, the eight-team Division I playoff bracket had to be adjusted, and the first round of the postseason was postponed by a week to November 14th.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
