FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — An appeal hearing will take place Sunday afternoon to determine whether Hayfield High School will be banned from the high school football playoffs this season and next.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) did not say why it recommended the punishment.
“They showed up to practice. They put in the work. I don’t see why they should have to suffer,” said Alexis Johnson.
The Fairfax County School District cleared the program of any wrongdoing in August regarding the transfers and eligibility of several players after Darryl Overton took over Hayfield earlier this year. He left Freedom High School in Woodbridge, where he led the program to get back-to-back state titles.
No one from the school district or the VHSL is saying whether that’s the reason for the recommendation.
“I don’t think it’s fair to the kids,” Stephen Reeves said. He also said he believes the proposed ban against the Hawks is too severe.
“Every player who plays football has a dream to move somewhere else, on a higher level than that,” said Reeves.
Hayfield is currently 8-1 this season and rated No. 1 in Class 6, Region C.
The regular season wraps up the weekend of Nov. 8, and the playoffs will begin the following weekend.
