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Aquinas football players have been suspended after the discovery of a derogatory video.
Aquinas High School in California will reportedly be shorthanded for its football playoff opener. Several players have been dealt suspensions linked to a “derogatory video” aimed at their upcoming opponent.
It will make the task of pursuing a state championship all the more difficult.
Details surrounding the video remain unclear. I have not seen the clip. I do not know what was said by Aquinas football players.
Whatever it was has been enough to land punishment. They are not expected to be on the field for the postseason opener.
Aquinas faces Salesian in the California high school football playoffs.
The Falcons are a part of the CIF-Southern Section, competing at the Division 5 level. They are located in San Bernadino, about an hour east of Los Angeles.
Google Maps
A map showing Aquinas High School in San Bernadino.
Aquinas has a history of success in California, winning CIF championships in 2000, 2005, 2017, 2019, 2021. They went 6-4 this regular season to earn another playoff bid.
The Falcons won the Ironwood League with a spotless 5-0 mark in district play. They have been paired with 7-3 Salesian for their opening contest and will make the trip to LA for the first game.
That game is slated to be played on Friday. Thursday, news was made public about potential suspensions.
The Falcons will be shorthanded.
Several Aquinas football players won’t be playing in Friday game against Salesian after a derogatory video was discovered directed at Salesian.
— eric sondheimer (@latsondheimer) November 5, 2026
Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times provided some details on the situation. He says a “derogatory video” was discovered which was aimed at Salesian High School.
Again, I have not been able to find the clip on social media. I don’t know who the players are and how many suspensions are being handed down.
Sondheimer is a legitimate source. He’s plugged into the California prep scene, reporting for a national outlet. His words hold weight.
Despite having to travel for the first contest to face a program with a better overall record, the Falcons are expected to win the game. They are considered the 140th-best team in the state compared to Salesian’s No. 204 ranking. They are riding a five-game winning streak, having outscored those opponents a combined 234-14.
The task becomes a bit taller given the suspensions. We’ll see if they can overcome the absences to advance. There is no report suggesting the punishment will extend beyond the playoff opener.