News Summary
Eight student-athletes from Gadsden County High School face exclusion from the upcoming football season due to FHSAA’s ruling over paperwork issues. The athletes can transfer to other schools but not return to play for Gadsden County. The high school was fined and banned from postseason play, prompting the superintendent to seek options for the affected students. The ruling stems from a crucial documentation error regarding eligibility forms, leading to significant changes in compliance practices within the athletic department.
Gadsden County – Eight student-athletes from Gadsden County High School will not be able to participate in the upcoming football season due to a ruling from the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) over paperwork issues concerning nontraditional athletes. The FHSAA’s decision, announced on August 5, 2025, permits the athletes to play at different schools but not at Gadsden County High, where they were originally enrolled.
The controversy centers around a crucial document known as Form EL12, which is required for nontraditional athletes who do not attend the school at which they intend to participate. The FHSAA noted that this form was not available to parents until after they had been instructed to complete it, contributing to the conflict. As a result, Gadsden County High School has incurred punitive measures, including a fine of $21,500 and a one-year ban from postseason play due to violations concerning the students’ eligibility.
The district’s superintendent announced that the school will fight for the students’ rights and explore options for assisting them in transitioning to other schools. The Gadsden County school board evaluated the cases of all eight athletes, ultimately allowing six to play at alternative institutions while only a couple received permission to compete outside the district. This ruling has been viewed as a significant setback for the team, which celebrated a 12-2 record last season and reached the Class 2A state championship game.
Concerns escalated during a hearing held at Lively Technical College in Tallahassee, where the FHSAA committee highlighted that some students were facing suspensions due to inaccuracies provided by a private institution related to their paperwork. The athletes and families expressed dismay over the consequences stemming from what they have described as errors made by others, asserting that the students should not be penalized for administrative mishaps.
In the wake of this ruling, significant changes are being made within the school’s athletic department to bolster oversight and compliance practices to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. Among the affected athletes is junior quarterback Landon Dougherty, who has already made the decision to transfer to Godby High School, following an impressive performance in the previous season.
Coach Russell Ellington has also been affected by the FHSAA’s decision, facing a suspension and currently awaiting the outcome of an appeal regarding his situation. The emotional toll of these developments has been felt across the entire team, prompting conversations among the coach, players, and their families about the implications of the ruling.
The Gadsden County Jaguars are set to face Tift County on August 22, 2025, marking the beginning of a football season shadowed by this ruling. The community remains hopeful as the Gadsden County school district considers appealing the FHSAA’s decision in an effort to reverse the penalties laid upon both the athletes and the coaching staff.
This situation presents a complex case of regulatory compliance in high school sports, highlighting the importance of accurate documentation and timely submission of necessary forms. The ongoing developments in this matter will continue to capture the attention of athletes, parents, and stakeholders within the Gadsden County community.
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Additional Resources
- WTXL: Gadsden County High Coach and Players Face Uncertainty After FHSAA Ruling
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Tallahassee.com: Gadsden County Jaguars FHSAA High School Football Eligibility
- Google Search: Gadsden County High School Football
- SI.com: FHSAA Makes Ruling on 8 Gadsden County Football Players
- Google Scholar: High School Sports Eligibility
- On3: FHSAA Rules on 8 Players Allowed to Play in 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Tallahassee.com: Gadsden County Football Appeals FHSAA Suspension
- Google News: FHSAA Ruling Gadsden County
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