Top Virginia high school football program facing 2-year playoff ban

Hayfield Secondary School, one of the top high school football programs in Virginia, will have to sit out the postseason for the next two years after Virginia High School League (VHSL) has refused to overturn their appeal of a ban levied last month.

According to a letter obtained by the Fairfax Times, the ban is tied to alleged violations after Hayfield administrators named local football coach Darryl Overton to lead Hayfield’s football program during the offseason.

VHSL Executive Director John Haun recommended the ban last month and wrote in the letter that the “inactions of the Hayfield administration” and the “failure of the Hayfield staff” led to violations of VHSL rules.

That included the alleged “inappropriate transfers” of 24 football players to Hayfield, the departure of 15 Hayfield players from the football team, and the “decimation of a Prince William County high school football program.”

Hayfield was 8-1 prior to the decision and considered one of the top contenders for the Virginia Division 6A title. In their eight wins this season, they’ve defeated opponents by a combined score of 500-13 while achieving a No. 45 ranking in the state, per the On3 Massey Ratings.

Fairfax County Public Schools appealed the ban on Hayfield’s behalf to the 37-member executive committee of the VHSL, based in Charlottesville. But it was upheld on Friday, solidifying that Hayfield won’t participate in the playoffs in 2024 or 2025.

They will, however, still be able to play during the regular season next year.

Transfers led to ‘decimation’ of another Virginia high school program

The VHSL’s initial report found that 14 players transferred from Freedom High — where Overton previously coached — to Hayfield in February, according to the Washington Post. In addition, the program added five transfers from private schools and five incoming students.

Under Overton, Freedom recorded back-to-back undefeated seasons and won Virginia Class 6 titles in 2022 and 2023. In nine years at the helm, he won 89 games to just 19 losses before being hired by Hayfield this spring. With the departure of both their head coach and numerous top players, Freedom returned just eight players from last year’s varsity roster, according to the Post, and had its season shortened to a six-game, district-only schedule because of safety concerns.

The Eagles went 0-6 and were outscored 368-10 in those contests.

Hayfield’s postseason ban is among a growing trend nationwide this season. Multiple schools in Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Alabama — as well as one in Louisiana — have had to forfeit games or received postseason bans because of rules violations.