This season has been one to forget for The Principia School's high school football team (St. Louis, Missouri). Now, the Panthers' 2026 season is over despite still having a playoff game on the schedule.
According to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the team forfeited its second-round postseason game against Crystal City (MO). The reason for the forfeit? To address culture issues.
“While we’re disappointed with how the season ended, we believe this was a necessary step in moving our program forward,” The Principia School athletic director Shawn Brown told the Post-Dispatch.
With the loss, the Panthers finish the season with a 2-7 record. The team gave up 54 or more points five times and 60 or more points four times. In their six on-field losses, the Panthers lost by an average of 29 points.
In their two wins, the Panthers did put up a ton of points, scoring 70 against Veritas Christian Academy (MO) and 66 against Confluence Prep Academy (MO).
This year is just the latest what's been a trying near-two-decade stretch for the Panthers.
Principia School last won more than five games back in 2009. Since that season, the Panthers have compiled an overall record of 41-107 with the only other winning season coming in 2018.
With the game against Principia out of the way, Crystal City (3-7) was able to turn its attention to a third-round matchup with Louisiana (MO) on Nov. 13. This will be Hornets' first time back on the field since beating Grandview (MO) back on Oct. 23 as they did not play in the first round along with Principia School.
Louisiana (8-2) opened postseason play on Nov. 6 with a dominant 72-0 win over Veritas Christian Academy.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missouri high school forfeits playoff football game for interesting reason
