The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has penalized the Opelousas High School football team, penalties which will result in the forfeiture of the school’s 2023 Division II Non-Select State Championship.
Sources have confirmed the penalties to By-U Sports this week. The school will forfeit all of its wins from the 2023 season, its state title and head football coach Jimmy Zachery will be suspended for 1 year. Opelousas High School has an opportunity to appeal the ruling.
The LHSAA investigated the program in recent weeks and found registration issues with players in the program. Pending the investigation, the school was informed of the penalty ruling. The LHSAA found multiple rules violations during the investigation.
The LHSAA in previous years would publicly publish penalty rulings, but that practice has stopped in recent years under Executive Director Eddie Bonine.
The Division II Non-Select State Championship will be considered vacant. Opelousas defeated Cecilia in the Championship Game in December.
How many were over age ? 😳
Cecilia should be awarded the Championship. In 2005 this happened to Baship and Breaux Bridge, with Breaux Bridge being awarded after Baships disqualification .
What is a Baship ?
Coach already said he doesn’t want it because we didn’t earn it on the field. I agree with him. We lost that game fair and square.
Sounds like BS to me
One year isn’t long enough if it was willingly done . Should be a monetary penalty as well . Pay out some Money for cheating . You cost other kids a chance at a championship because you cheated
It is what it is ??
If the school actually cheated, that is intentional. The proper punishment is shut down the program for 5 years. That catches folks attention.
it s a shame a coach would play men in high school.
The 1974 Opelousas Catholic Vikings still the only Opelousas team to win a state championship!
I feel bad about what happened to OHS and the city.