Liberty Christian School has filed a lawsuit seeking to suspend an eligibility ruling that removed its football team from the TAPPS Division I playoffs.
The Argyle school announced the legal action Friday, Nov. 6, after the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools ordered forfeits for games involving an ineligible transfer student. The Warriors had earned the No. 1 playoff seed with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-0 district finish.
In a letter to parents, school President Blair McCullough said the lawsuit seeks a court order pausing the decision so TAPPS can reconsider evidence submitted by Liberty Christian.
The eligibility ruling
According to TAPPS’ official announcement, its Executive Board reviewed the case Nov. 3 and found a violation of Section 104, commonly called the “follow the coach” rule.
The rule makes a transfer student ineligible for varsity competition in a sport for one year if a coach at the receiving school coached or trained that athlete within the preceding 12 months. It covers outside programs, including 7-on-7 football, as well as individual and group training.
TAPPS determined that Liberty Christian assistant coach Antonio Griffin had coached the student on a 7-on-7 team before the transfer. The board also found that school athletic leaders and football coaches knew or should have known about that relationship before the season.
The resulting forfeits eliminated Liberty Christian from postseason contention. TAPPS redrew the eight-team bracket and delayed the opening round until Saturday, Nov. 14.
School disputes coaching connection
TAPPS did not identify the student in its public announcement. A Dallas Morning News report carried by NBC DFWidentified the player as receiver Jace Johnson, who transferred from Abilene Cooper.
Liberty Christian disputes the ruling and says its evidence supports the player’s eligibility.
The central disagreement concerns Griffin’s role with LionHearted Sports Collective. In Dallas Morning News reporting republished by Yahoo Sports, 7-on-7 coach Undra Hendrix II said he coached Johnson’s 18U team and that Griffin owned the organization but did not coach the player.
Michelle Witten, whose son Cooper plays for Liberty Christian, also challenged evidence discussed in the case. She posted images of two versions of an email: one describing the organization as owned by Griffin, and another adding that he coached it. Witten questioned the difference between the versions.
Those claims remain disputed; TAPPS’ published decision states that a coaching relationship existed.
Parents seek reinstatement
The Cross Timbers Gazette’s Nov. 5 coverage included objections from parent and retired football coach Chris Olson.
Olson, whose son is a senior offensive lineman, said sanctions are appropriate when violations are established but argued the evidence had not demonstrated that Griffin coached the student involved.
TCA-Addison received a berth in the revised playoff field. Olson acknowledged that reversing Liberty Christian’s removal would also affect those players.
TAPPS executive director Bryan Bunselmeyer defended the organization’s handling of the case, saying it followed its policies and procedures.
The lawsuit does not itself restore Liberty Christian’s playoff eligibility. Under the revised schedule, Division I first-round games begin Nov. 14.
