Liberty Christian School’s football program saw its promising postseason hopes dashed after the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) ruled one of its players ineligible. The decision was announced at a state executive committee hearing on Tuesday and requires the Warriors to forfeit every game in which the player participated, effectively removing the team from the TAPPS Division I playoff bracket.
Eligibility dispute centered on Jace Johnson
According to a report from the Dallas Morning News, the player at the center of the controversy is wide receiver Jace Johnson. TAPPS determined Johnson violated the organization’s “follow the coach” rule after an investigation linked him to Liberty Christian head coach Antonio Griffin and Griffin’s LionHearted Football 7‑on‑7 program.
Johnson transferred to Liberty Christian from Abilene Cooper High School earlier this season. TAPPS officials said the investigation uncovered evidence that Johnson was involved with Griffin’s outside team in a manner that breaches the association’s policy designed to keep high‑school athletes separate from their coaches’ private enterprises.
Coach suspension and school response
Following the eligibility finding, the TAPPS district executive committee recommended that Griffin be suspended from coaching for the remainder of the season. While the football season has concluded, the suspension remains on record.
Liberty Christian issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the ruling. “Today, the TAPPS athletic organization issued an unfair and unjust ruling against Liberty Christian School,” the school said. “We strongly disagree with the TAPPS ruling and we provided clear and unambiguous evidence to TAPPS which demonstrated our innocence against the false assertions that were made against our football program.” The school added that it is exploring legal options and will continue to fight what it calls an “unjust ruling.”
Impact on the Warriors’ season
The Warriors entered the postseason with an 8‑2 overall record and a perfect 6‑0 mark in district play under new head coach Josh Martin. Their first playoff matchup was slated for Friday against the St. Michael’s Warriors from the Austin area. With the forfeiture order, Liberty Christian will finish the season in the offseason, missing the chance to compete for a state title.
Coach Martin, who took over after former coach Jason Witten departed for a staff position at the University of Oklahoma, was unavailable for comment. Athletic Director Randy Mayes also could not be reached for additional remarks.
Broader context
The ruling underscores TAPPS’s commitment to enforcing its eligibility standards across private schools in Texas. While the organization’s policies are intended to preserve fairness, critics argue that the “follow the coach” rule can be difficult to apply consistently, especially when coaches run supplemental training programs.
Liberty Christian’s football field was recently named in honor of former coach Jason Witten for his contributions to the program. Witten’s son, Cooper Witten, is among the state’s top recruits and has committed to play for the University of Oklahoma Sooners after completing his senior season with the Warriors.
Looking ahead
Liberty Christian has indicated it will consider an appeal, though it has not confirmed whether an appeal could be filed in time to re‑enter the postseason. The school reaffirmed its mission to “inspire and equip leaders to impact the world for Christ,” emphasizing that the institution’s core values remain unchanged despite the athletic setback.
For families and supporters of Liberty Christian, the decision is a disappointment, but the school’s leadership remains resolute in defending its program and upholding its standards of integrity.
Original reporting: Cross Timbers Gazette — read the source article.
