Argyle Liberty Christian, a favorite to win the TAPPS Division I football title, has been removed from the playoffs over an ineligible player ruling by the TAPPS Executive Board. In a letter to football families, the school called the decision “unfair and unjust” and said it is weighing legal options.

FULL STORY: TAPPS football Division I state championship favorite booted from playoffs Here are key takeaways:

• In a letter shared with the Star-Telegram, Liberty Christian told football families the school “strongly” disagrees with the ruling and provided TAPPS “clear and unambiguous evidence” of its innocence against what it called “false assertions” about its program.
• The school said it is “considering our various legal options moving forward” and will “continue to do everything we can to fight this unjust ruling,” framing the decision as one that “ignores the clear and obvious facts in this case.”
• Liberty Christian’s letter reaffirmed the school’s “foundational mission to inspire and equip leaders to impact the world for Christ,” saying it operates “with ethics and integrity” and will continue to run every aspect of the school consistent with that mission.
• TAPPS said its executive board found the school violated its “follow the coach” bylaw after determining a transfer student-athlete had played on a 7-on-7 team coached by Liberty Christian assistant football coach Antonio Griffin in the year before transferring. The Warriors, previously 8-2, were forced to forfeit all games the player participated in.
• The removal ends the high school careers of Liberty Christian seniors, including four-star Oklahoma pledge Cooper Witten, 247Sports’ No. 5-ranked class of 2027 recruit in Texas. TAPPS will redraw the eight-team bracket and delay the first round by one week.