Miami Carol City's football season has officially come to an end.
The Florida High School Athletic Association denied the school's appeal of its postseason ban Sunday, Nov. 1, upholding the punishment handed down following a postgame brawl with Grayson (GA) earlier this season.
The decision means the Chiefs will be ineligible to compete in the 2026 Florida high school football playoffs, including the inaugural Open Division, despite finishing the regular season with a 7-3 record.
The appeal denial comes five days before the FHSAA is scheduled to announce its postseason brackets on Friday, Nov. 6.
Carol City had been among the state's top-ranked programs and was projected to qualify for the eight-team Open Division field. According to the latest
MaxPreps rankings, the Chiefs were ranked No. 6 in the state among projected Open Division qualifiers.
With the appeal denied, Carol City will not have an opportunity to compete for any type of championship this season.
The original sanctions were announced Oct. 7 after the FHSAA reviewed video evidence and a report submitted by Carol City following the Oct. 2 incident.
The confrontation with Grayson, which beat Carol City 10-9, began during the handshake line before escalating into a fight involving players from both teams.
The FHSAA determined that 15 Carol City players violated its sportsmanship standards. Four players received Level 3 suspensions and were ruled ineligible through Dec. 13. Nine received Level 2 suspensions and were ordered to miss five varsity football contests, while two received Level 1 suspensions and were suspended for one game.
The program was also placed on restrictive probation, prohibited from postseason competition during the 2026-27 school year and fined $1,500. Carol City was additionally ordered to host an Athletic Department Compliance Workshop.
Carol City closed its regular season Friday, Oct. 30, with a 27-10 victory over Miami Central, finishing 7-3.
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: Nationally ranked Florida high school football team has season ended by FHSAA ruling
