Greenville Christian School’s football program will be forfeiting the rest of its season, following a ruling from the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS).
With just one game remaining in the regular season, the Saints (5-3, 3-0 District 3) were in contention to compete in the Division 3A playoffs prior to the decision. They were set to play Tri County Academy on Friday night before the game was called off, giving the Rebels an unearned victory.
“Unfortunately, tonight’s game has been canceled. Senior Night will be celebrated on November 3rd, which is our first playoff game,” a portion of a Facebook post from Tri County Academy reads.
The MAIS ruling comes after allegations that Greenville Christian was allowing ineligible players to perform on the field during games.
Greenville Christian head coach Jon Reed McClendon confirmed to the Delta Democrat-Times that his squad had been barred from further participation this season as the association claims players previously expelled from other schools within one calendar year of joining the team had gotten reps this season, which is an MAIS violation.
McClendon denied any purposeful wrongdoing to the local newspaper and said he plans to appeal the decision.
Greenville Christian took the football world by storm in 2021, finishing the season 12-1 with blowout wins over historic MAIS juggernauts Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Jackson Prep, and Jackson Academy after utilizing COVID-19 cancelations to bring in players from neighboring public schools.
