The Norco High School football program has forfeited all six of its victories this season after an investigation revealed the team used an ineligible player. The decision, announced just days before the final game of the regular season, drastically alters the team's record from a winning 6-3 to a winless 0-9.
This move is the latest in a series of similar actions by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section, which has increased its scrutiny of student-athlete transfers and eligibility paperwork throughout the region.
Key Takeaways
- Norco High School's football record has been changed from 6-3 to 0-9 after forfeiting all wins.
- The forfeits are the result of using an ineligible player, following an investigation by the school district and the CIF.
- Principal Dr. Catherine Wallace announced the decision to families in a meeting on Wednesday.
- This incident is part of a broader crackdown on transfer violations by the CIF Southern Section affecting multiple schools.
Sudden Announcement Shakes Program
Families and players of the Norco Cougars were informed of the devastating news during a meeting led by the school's principal, Dr. Catherine Wallace. The announcement came just two days before their scheduled season finale against Vista Murrieta.
In a video of the meeting, Dr. Wallace explained the circumstances leading to the decision. The school district, in partnership with the CIF, had looked into several allegations made against the football program.
"It's been determined because of these allegations and the results of the investigation that our football program is going to have to forfeit six of its football games ā six of the wins," Dr. Wallace stated to the families in attendance.
The decision effectively erases a season's worth of on-field success, a difficult reality for the student-athletes, coaching staff, and the wider school community. An email was also circulated to Norco High staff and faculty to inform them of the forfeits.
The Broader Context: A CIF Crackdown
The situation at Norco is not an isolated event. The CIF Southern Section has been actively investigating and penalizing schools for violations related to student-athlete transfers. This season has seen a significant number of teams forced to forfeit games due to eligibility issues, signaling a stricter enforcement of bylaws.
The Nature of the Violations
While the school has not released specific details about the infraction, the issue stems from competing with an ineligible player. These situations often involve complex CIF bylaws that govern student transfers and residency requirements.
Common violations that have surfaced at other schools this season include:
- Bylaw 202: Issues related to falsifying address or residency documentation to gain athletic eligibility.
- Bylaw 510: Rules against "undue influence," where a school or its representatives might improperly encourage a student to transfer for athletic reasons.
In many recent cases, a student-athlete is initially cleared to play by both their school and the CIF. However, new information can later emerge that proves the original transfer did not meet the strict criteria for a valid change of residence, leading to retroactive penalties.
A Season of Forfeits
Norco High is the latest program to be impacted by retroactive ineligibility rulings. Other Southern California schools that have faced similar penalties this season include Orange Lutheran, Long Beach Millikan, Long Beach Poly, and Bellflower. In an even more severe case, Bishop Montgomery High School canceled its entire 2025 varsity football season due to eligibility problems.
Impact on Players and the Path Forward
For the players, particularly the seniors, the news is a crushing blow. A season of hard work, dedication, and on-field victories has been nullified on paper. The team must now prepare for its final game of the season with an official record of 0-9, a stark contrast to the winning record they had earned.
The timing of the announcement has also raised questions, coming so late in the regular season. These retroactive rulings can dramatically impact league standings and playoff qualifications, not just for the penalized team but for their opponents as well. The forfeits change the strength of schedule and win-loss records for every team Norco defeated.
The CIF's rigorous enforcement of its rules underscores the high stakes involved in high school athletics and the importance of administrative compliance. As the regular season concludes, the focus for Norco will be on finishing their final game and for the administration to ensure full compliance with CIF regulations in the future to prevent a recurrence.