A violation of the Alabama High School Athletic Association recruiting rule has led to one program being banned from the postseason this season and two coaches being suspended for the year.
The AHSAA announced in a press release on Thursday, Sept. 24, thatJacksonville High has been placed on probation for violating AHSAA Rule VI, Administration, Section 12, Recruiting. The students who violated the rule were not named but the association stated that they would be permanently banned from participating in athletics at the schools.
Head coach Jeremy Sullivan and assistant coach Phileepae Holloway were named in the statement as it was announced that they will both be suspended from coaching for the year.
The Gadsen Times has reached out to Jacksonville
High but has not received a response as of this writing.
As Jacksonville was banned from postseason play, the school will be allowed to finish out the regular season but any region games played against Jacksonville will not count in the region standings for their opponents. The Golden Eagles have already forfeited their season-opener to Piedmont (AL) as the ineligible player played in that game.
Jacksonville was first found in violation of the rule on September 4 and was placed on probation after the violation was initially reported by the school.
The Golden Eagles are currently 3-2 on the year and have won three straight games. They started the season with a win over Piedmont and then lost to Oxford (AL) a week later.
In their current winning streak, the Golden Eagles have beaten Lincoln (AL) 16-13, Sylacauga (AL) 28-14 and most recently they beat Central of Clay County (AL) 28-14. Jacksonville returns to the field on September 25 for a home game against Cherokee County.
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: Alabama high school football program put on probation, coaches suspended
