Other football players were disqualified; Long Beach Poly is out of playoff consideration

Long Beach Poly, the 12-time Southern Conference football champion, announced Friday that it will not participate in the playoffs this season despite finishing second in the Moore League. The school disqualified six transfer students earlier this season for providing false information on paperwork, a violation of CIF Rule 202.

Here is a statement from the Long Beach Unified School District:

“Long Beach Poly High School accepts the CIF’s final ruling regarding violations of CIF Bye Rule 202 in its football program. Pursuant to this ruling, and as part of an ongoing internal investigation, Poly will withdraw from postseason play.

“The school is cooperating fully with CIF and the district, as a thorough review of our processes and systems is conducted to ensure full compliance with CIF rules and district policy. While student and staff matters are confidential, our commitment remains to support our students while maintaining the integrity of our athletic programs.”

San Juan Hills became the latest school to announce penalties for using ineligible players on Friday. Two transfer students were listed as “under review” on the transfer portal. The school would go on a nine-game losing streak and is now 1-9. Both players sat out a game on Thursday.

Norco snapped a six-game losing streak earlier this week, falling to 1-9 after Thursday’s win.

The crackdown by Southern Division against students providing false information began over the summer when schools began handing out transcripts. The southern part uses new technical tools to verify data. Bishop Montgomery received the harshest punishment, with 24 players declared ineligible, forcing the school to cancel its football season.

Other schools found to have ineligible players this season include Long Beach Millikan, Compton, Bellflower, Victor Valley and Orange Lutheran.

“We’ve had a real influx of fraudulent papers. It’s been remarkable and very disappointing,” Southern Division Commissioner Mike West said last month.