Massillon (OH) could be forced to forfeit additional games and potentially see its undefeated season altered after the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) ruled two of its star players ineligible Monday afternoon, Oct. 5.
The OHSAA determined senior Brayton Feister and junior Brydon Feister are ineligible for the second half of the season, while clearing another Massillon transfer, Da’Shaun Williams, for the entire season, The news was first reported by The Canton Repository, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The developments come as Massillon, ranked No. 22 in the latest USA TODAY Super 25, prepares for a court hearing Tuesday, Oct. 6, that could determine whether six transfer players can continue competing for the Tigers. Massillon is
undefeated on the field and was idle last week.
But the Tigers' official record has already been reduced to 1-2 because of eligibility rulings, according to The Canton Repository. Three additional eligibility cases remain pending, meaning Massillon could see further changes to its record depending on the outcome of Tuesday's hearing and the cases involving the remaining players.
The Feister brothers are among Massillon's most prominent players. Brayton, a senior linebacker and running back, is a four-star Oregon commit ranked as a top 150 player in the nation and was a USA TODAY Sports preseason All-America selection. Brydon, a junior defensive end, was an all-state selection at Archbishop Hoban (OH) last season.
The OHSAA's latest rulings do not settle the broader dispute. A Stark County Common Pleas Court judge issued a temporary restraining order Sept. 25 allowing the six players to compete, and Tuesday's preliminary injunction hearing could extend, modify or end that protection.
The other three players whose eligibility remains unresolved are Micah Walker, Gary Yeager and Dey'Veair Adams. Williams, a junior tight end who transferred from Euclid (OH), has been cleared for the full season.
Massillon players in question
- Brayton Feister: ineligible
- Brydon Feister: ineligible
- Da'Shaun Williams: eligible
- Micah Walker: unresolved
- Gary Yeager: unresolved
- Dey'Veair Adams: unresolved
The OHSAA contends the Feister brothers did not qualify for an athletic eligibility exception because their family's move to Massillon was connected to their desire to transfer schools. The OHSAA cited disciplinary issues involving the brothers at the state wrestling championships and alleged their father contacted multiple schools about potential enrollment before the move.
The OHSAA denied the Feisters' exemption applications Monday, Sept. 28, and said they were offered an expedited appeal hearing on Friday, Oct. 2.
The association has taken a different position with the other players, saying delays in their cases were partly attributable to their families submitting transfer-exemption applications weeks or months after their moves.
For Massillon, Tuesday's hearing could have consequences well beyond which players are available for the rest of the season. The Tigers are trying to remain among the nation's elite while an eligibility battle could affect their record, postseason position and national ranking.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @AlexMartinUSAT or via email: amartin@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: High school football powerhouse faces fallout as Oregon commit is ruled ineligible
