Maine South High School’s football program will forfeit nine wins in the 2022 season and will be placed on a one-year probation next year following District 207’s self report on their use of ineligible players, according to a statement from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). 

Multiple players on the team violated the IHSA Bylaw 3.030 by participating in the football season while living outside Maine South’s attendance area, IHSA stated.

These penalties resulted from a joint investigation between the IHSA, Maine South High School, and Maine Township High School District 207, Craig Anderson, IHSA Executive Director, said.  

“The IHSA recently received credible information that Maine South football players who did not reside in the district participated on the team during the 2022 IHSA football season,” Anderson said. “After a thorough review, [District 207 and Maine South High School] self-reported violations of the IHSA residence by-laws by multiple student-athletes on its 2022 football roster.” 

Wins against South, North, Barrington High School, Bolingbrook High School, Evanston High School, New Trier High School, Niles West High School, South Elgin High School, and Stevenson High School will be invalidated, IHSA stated. 

Maine South has been formally notified that future violations may remove the football team from the the IHSA State Football Playoffs, the IHSA stated. The school fully accepts the IHSA’s decision, Ken Wallace, District 207 Superintendent, said.

“We fully support the IHSA and accept the sanctions,” Wallace said. “Along with Maine South Football Coach David Inserra, we will work diligently to ensure this never happens again. We need to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the IHSA, as well as the law in Illinois related to school residency.”