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A high school football coach in the state of West Virginia has been suspended for one season due to player safety concerns. Ezra Lewis will not be on the sidelines for the remainder of the Braxton County campaign.
The lengthy suspension stems from a potential rules violation according to the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.
Lewis was in the midst of his second season with the program, leading the team to a 3-3 overall record in 2025. He will now miss the rest of the year, and a portion of next season should he continue to lead the team.
Braxton County High School football coach suspended.
Braxton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Burge-Tetrick released a statement on the decision after the fact.
On Monday, October 6, 2025, I was contacted by the WVSSAC regarding a potential rules violation by a member of the Braxton County High School Football Coaching Staff. Braxton County Schools fully cooperated with the WVSSAC. On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the WVSSAC suspended the coach for 365 days. Today, I appointed Billy McDonald as Acting Head Coach for the remainder of the 2025 football season. It is my expectation that coaching staff abide by all WVSSAC rules and regulations. The safety and well-being of our student athletes is of utmost importance.
The details of the violation remain unclear based on Burge-Tetrick’s response, though player safety was an apparent factor. WDTV News in Sutton, WV reached out to gain further intel.
A source confirmed those safety concerns to the station, alleging that the suspension came after the team practiced without trainers on site while players used unfitted helmets.
Player safety issues are not being taken lightly.
Nationwide, high school football teams are being forced to forfeit games due to injuries and thin rosters. Earlier this week in Nebraska, Lincoln High nixed an upcoming matchup vs. top-ranked Millard South citing safety concerns.
A winless team in Kansas went a step further, cancelling the remainder of the season as setbacks continue to pile up.
This football season began with so much excitement and hope. The Chase-Raymond team came together with a clear goal—to build a culture of grit, determination, and teamwork that would make our community proud. From early morning practices to Friday night lights, our players showed incredible heart, courage, and dedication every step of the way.
Unfortunately, the season took a difficult turn. Illness and injuries have hit our team especially hard, and this past week was particularly tough as two of our players suffered broken bones during a game and another of our student athletes has had to begin his battle with cancer again for the 6th time. After careful thought and consideration for the well-being of our students, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the football season. It’s not an easy choice, but the health and safety of our students will always come first.
-Chase Unified School District 401 Superintendent Dr. Kylee McDonald
Player safety and competitive balance continue to cause concern in many areas across the country. Braxton County acted swiftly with the suspension of its head coach.