First Academy football in FHSAA playoffs makes Region 2-1A must-see
Jon Santucci and Nick Wilson discuss how a judge’s decision to temporarily lift TFA’s postseason ban will impact the Class 1A playoffs.
An Orange County judge temporarily lifted The First Academy’s two-year postseason football ban.The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) had imposed the ban for recruiting violations.Lawyers for the players filed for an emergency injunction, arguing the sanctions were arbitrary and inconsistent.
The First Academy’s football team can pursue its dream of a state championship, at least for now.
Orange County Judge Margaret H. Schreiber temporarily lifted The First Academy’s postseason ban on Nov. 6, less than two hours before the Florida High School Athletic Association is announcing the playoff brackets. A hearing has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 10.
Schreiber verbally granted an emergency temporary injunction to lift the Royals postseason ban on Nov. 5 but did not sign the order following a filing from the FHSAA’s attorneys.
Paul Aloise Jr., one of the lawyers representing a group of football players at The First Academy, filed for an emergency temporary injunction on Oct. 28 to reverse the program’s two-year postseason ban.The First Academy received a two-year postseason ban and other sanctions from the FHSAA on Nov. 1, 2024, for allowing 10 student-athletes to participate in football activities before being enrolled at the school, as well as recruiting violations. The Royals did not play in the playoffs last year.
Darren Heitner and Aloise sent a letter to FHSAA executive director Craig Damon on behalf of the players on Oct. 23, demanding it rescind the ban in writing within 24 hours.
“My clients seek the immediate reversal of these penalties to permit their participation in the 2025 postseason, failing which we will pursue all available legal remedies, including an emergency injunction in state or federal court to enjoin enforcement of the ban and a civil action for damages arising from the FHSAA’s arbitrary and capricious conduct,” Heitner and Aloise wrote to FHSAA executive director Craig Damon. “The sanctions levied against The First Academy are egregious, arbitrary, and inconsistent with the FHSAA’s own precedents in handling similar violations at other member schools.”
The FHSAA confirmed to the USA TODAY Florida Network on Oct. 24 that it received the letter and had sent it to its legal counsel. Leonard Ireland Jr., the FHSAA’s general counsel, responded on Oct. 28, saying that Damon is unable to alter or amend The First Academy’s sanctions.
“The issues you raise regarding The First Academy Football Program were decided on appeal by the FHSAA Board of Directors,” Ireland wrote. “According to the FHSAA Bylaws that decision is final.”
The First Academy went 5-5 this season was ranked No. 13 on the final USA TODAY Florida Network Super 25.
The Royals primarily have played a national schedule and did not play any District 6-1A opponents. The First Academy was ranked No. 10 in Class 1A and No. 4 in Region 2-1A in the Week 11 FHSAA power rankings.
The FHSAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story will be updated.