Norco High School will not make the playoffs for high school football in California. The Cougars were forced to vacate every single one of their wins for playing (at least one) ineligible player.
This comes amid a statewide crackdown on this kind of behavior.
Multiple high school football programs across the Golden State have been required to forfeit, vacate or cancel many, if not all of their games this season. Norco is just the latest.
High school football season was looking up.
Located approximately 30 miles east of Irvine on the other side of the Santa Ana Mountains, Norco High School enrolls more than 2,000 students in grades 9-12. It is part of the Corona-Norco Unified School District.
The Cougars compete in the Southern Section of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) competition and were likely to make the playoffs. They averaged more than 475 yards per game through the first nine weeks of the season and won six games.
Although their their losses were within the division, a win this week would’ve put them in position to make the playoffs at 7-3 with an at-large bid in Division-III. Not anymore.
Norco drops out of the playoffs.
Norco dropped from 6-3 to 0-9 with a recent ruling by the CIF. It will be forced to retroactively forfeit all nine of its games for the use of an ineligible player, including those six wins.
Assistant principal Dr. Catherine Wallace broke the news to parents on Wednesday night.
The school also sent an email to staff and faculty.
“I want to take a moment to acknowledge a matter that is currently impacting our school community and share some context with you as valued members of staff. A violation of a CIF Bylaw involving the Norco High School football program was recently reported to the District and CIF. Following a thorough investigation, the violation was confirmed. As a result, games involving ineligible players will be forfeited, as required by CIF regulations. We also recognize that many of you will feel the ripple effects of this news in your classrooms, conversations, and relationships with students.
“Please direct any questions or concerns to Norco High School Administration. Above all, I want to thank you for continuing to show up every day for our students, with professionalism, grace and unwavering care. You are the reason our school is strong, even in the midst of challenges. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”
It is currently unclear as to who exactly was deemed ineligible or why. However, the violations likely correlate to an ongoing trend across the state.
California is cracking down.
There has been a statewide crack down on ineligible high school football players over the last three months. A large number of these violations stem from athletes who transferred during the offseason.
They will be cleared by their new school and approved for a valid change of residence by the CIF, only to find out later that they did not actually complete the required steps.
Falsified documentation violates Bylaw 202. Undue influence during what essentially proves to be illegal recruiting violates Bylaw 510.
Orange Lutheran was forced to forfeit two games for use of an ineligible player just last week. Bishop Montgomery was forced to cancel its entire football season and fired its coach amid claims that a rogue booster paid for illegal transfers.
And now Norco High School will miss out on the playoffs.