As someone familiar with the area, I am going to shine some light on this issue. While some want to say there is no reason to forfeit, and I agree, I think the context is important to what is happening in the state and especially in the STL area. Simply put, MSHSAA is not enforcing the rules for whatever reason. I have seen many kids transfer from private to private and have to sit out 365 days, even though they are no varsity starters or moving closer to their home address. These players all usually share something in common. Yet, the state has let two schools run wild in the transfer and undue influence areas. Schools are clearly seeing the state is not enforcing rule against them, so the only way to make a stand is to refuse to play them to make MSHSAA take notice.
I’ve been told by multiple AD’s the new thing to get eligibility granted is to check the “don’t feel safe” box. All it takes is the student going to Guidance once or twice, getting documentation, and then when they transfer, that becomes their appeal. Not saying this is the case in every circumstance, but when you see the level of players changing to these two schools and playing right away, it would give some credibility to what I have heard is going on in STL.
2015 Season
Trinity hires coach whose background is invested almost entirely in the JFL (for non-STL people, STL does not have middle school football, so this is essentially recruiting super teams at the middle school level). Suddenly, in 2015 he starts a group of freshmen on varsity that is now made up of no-less than a half dozen players claiming Division 1 offers as juniors, 3 of which are top 100 in the nation, all of which are public school middle schoolers now playing for the same Class 2 Catholic school team.
2016 Season Transfers
Jabriel Green- top player on Jennings Class 4 team, transfers to Trinity and becomes all-state, top JUCO level player. Immediately eligible by MSHSAA.
Torre Boland- top player on Riverview Gardens Class 4 team, transfers to Trinity and becomes all-state, D-1 (Missouri State). Immediately eligible by MSHSAA.
Ronnie Perkins- top player on University City Class 4 District Championship team, transfers to Lutheran North where his older brother’s head coach is now the head coach….immediately eligible. National level recruit.
2017 Season Transfers
_________- Hazelwood West, leading rusher on Class 5 team with 1,200 yards is now Lutheran North leading rusher…eligible immediately by MSHSAA.
_________- Vashon, 2nd leading rusher on Class 4 team, now 3rd leading rusher for Lutheran North…eligible immediately by MSHSAA.
When Class 2 teams, or any team for that matter but especially those limited in resources, are allowed to accumulate this level of talent through what appears blatant undue influence and ineptitude by MSHSAA to take a legitimate stand against transfers sitting 365, you are going to get backlash from other schools.
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