Gadsden County cancels on East St Louis days before game

[nolebull813]

That’s grimy. Should have given them more time to find a replacement game. However I’m sure ESL was aware of the chaos at Gadsden Co and the coach leaving a while back. It sucks for everyone involved but the game should have never happened. ESL is a national power. Gadsden Co even with their best team ever would have been beaten by 4 scores. Just crappy deal for everyone 

https://www.on3.com/high-school/news/no-20-east-st-louis-game-versus-gadsden-county-fla-canceled/

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

Wow. Wasn’t this game paid for already months back ? And contracts signed ? Even with the turmoil that happens with them over the summer they still have a team. So why cancel.? I wouldn’t be surprised if they get hit with penalties for that. 

[nolebull813]

23 minutes ago, DILLARDBOYZ954 said:

Wow. Wasn’t this game paid for already months back ? And contracts signed ? Even with the turmoil that happens with them over the summer they still have a team. So why cancel.? I wouldn’t be surprised if they get hit with penalties for that. 

I wonder how many kids transferred. And I also wonder how they were getting there. Because airlines don’t normally let you get refunds. And if they were gonna take a bus, then it’s a good thing this travesty never took place. 
 

Gadsden Co should just shut down the program for the year. Do they even have enough kids? They still have to play Coffee GA, CCC, the First Academy, and Lincoln. They will be underdogs in every game. 

[MarkECannon]

5 hours ago, nolebull813 said:
 

Do they even have enough kids? 

I was told they only had 20-25 players at practices.

[nolebull813]

1 hour ago, MarkECannon said:

I was told they only had 20-25 players at practices.

Sad story for all the kids involved. The FHSAA destroyed this program 

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

6 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Sad story for all the kids involved. The FHSAA destroyed this program 

Extremely sad for doing what a plethora of other programs in the state are doing to gain a competitive edge 

[badbird]

6 hours ago, nolebull813 said:

Sad story for all the kids involved. The FHSAA destroyed this program 

The fhsaa destroyed the program or the cheaters at Gadsen destroyed the program?

[nolebull813]

1 hour ago, badbird said:

The fhsaa destroyed the program or the cheaters at Gadsen destroyed the program?

Who cheated? Was it the coach, AD, registrar??

[Dr. D]

This post comes directly from the FHSAA Classified Ads:

NEED GAME

Post Date: 09/03/2025
Sport: Football (11 man)
County: Gadsden
School Name: Gadsden County (Havana)

Gadsden County High School in Quincy Florida, due to cancellation, needs a home or away game for September 5th or 6th and October 24th.  Willing to work with the gate for travel expenses if we host.  

So, Gadsden County is willing to play this week, just not against a Top-25 National power.  So, appears that the FHSAA has not "destroyed" them, but merely turned them into a rural 2A program who should be playing similar teams.  Which is exactly what they were for the entirety of their existence prior to 2024.  But blame the FHSAA...

[nolebull813]

1 hour ago, Dr. D said:

This post comes directly from the FHSAA Classified Ads:

 

NEED GAME

 

AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

Find your next hike

 

>

 

Post Date: 09/03/2025
Sport: Football (11 man)
County: Gadsden
School Name: Gadsden County (Havana)

Gadsden County High School in Quincy Florida, due to cancellation, needs a home or away game for September 5th or 6th and October 24th.  Willing to work with the gate for travel expenses if we host.  

So, Gadsden County is willing to play this week, just not against a Top-25 National power.  So, appears that the FHSAA has not "destroyed" them, but merely turned them into a rural 2A program who should be playing similar teams.  Which is exactly what they were for the entirety of their existence prior to 2024.  But blame the FHSAA...

The Fhsaa is at fault for suspending the coach for no wrongdoing. Holding him responsible for something that he shouldn’t be responsible for. 

[Dr. D]

While it is true that the FHSAA ultimately holds principals responsible for enforcing FHSAA bylaws and policies in his/her school and to maintain institutional control of all phases of interscholastic athletic activities, it's clear that there is ample blame to go around.  In this case, the athletic director, notary, parents, and students all can be implicated in failure to abide by the bylaws and regulations.  But to use the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" defense for the coach strains credulity.  Coaches in Florida are expected to be aware, and abide by, all the rules and regulations concerning recruiting, transfers, impermissible benefits, etc.  Since common sense would lead to the conclusion that the coach was at least partially responsible for "attracting" players from far-flung locations, how could he not at least inquire if the transfer policies and paperwork were being followed at his school?  At least double-check with the AD or whomever to make sure things are on the up-and-up, especially if your job and livelihood depend on adherence to the rules?  Or as they say in the legal community, "ignorance of the law excuses no one".   

[Ray Icaza]

46 minutes ago, Dr. D said:

While it is true that the FHSAA ultimately holds principals responsible for enforcing FHSAA bylaws and policies in his/her school and to maintain institutional control of all phases of interscholastic athletic activities, it's clear that there is ample blame to go around.  In this case, the athletic director, notary, parents, and students all can be implicated in failure to abide by the bylaws and regulations.  But to use the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" defense for the coach strains credulity.  Coaches in Florida are expected to be aware, and abide by, all the rules and regulations concerning recruiting, transfers, impermissible benefits, etc.  Since common sense would lead to the conclusion that the coach was at least partially responsible for "attracting" players from far-flung locations, how could he not at least inquire if the transfer policies and paperwork were being followed at his school?  At least double-check with the AD or whomever to make sure things are on the up-and-up, especially if your job and livelihood depend on adherence to the rules?  Or as they say in the legal community, "ignorance of the law excuses no one".   

You can lead the horse to water but you can't make him drink. 

[DILLARDBOYZ954]

1 hour ago, Dr. D said:

While it is true that the FHSAA ultimately holds principals responsible for enforcing FHSAA bylaws and policies in his/her school and to maintain institutional control of all phases of interscholastic athletic activities, it's clear that there is ample blame to go around.  In this case, the athletic director, notary, parents, and students all can be implicated in failure to abide by the bylaws and regulations.  But to use the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" defense for the coach strains credulity.  Coaches in Florida are expected to be aware, and abide by, all the rules and regulations concerning recruiting, transfers, impermissible benefits, etc.  Since common sense would lead to the conclusion that the coach was at least partially responsible for "attracting" players from far-flung locations, how could he not at least inquire if the transfer policies and paperwork were being followed at his school?  At least double-check with the AD or whomever to make sure things are on the up-and-up, especially if your job and livelihood depend on adherence to the rules?  Or as they say in the legal community, "ignorance of the law excuses no one".   

This is going on at a lot more schools in the state in order to compete for it all. Some just haven’t got caught and others have enough pull/hush money for it to never see the light of day.