WHAT WE KNOW: Court ruling put on hold in Massillon eligibility case

Massillon linebacker Brayton Feister (18) looks on at a play against St. Edward during Week 5 of high school football. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

MASSILLON, Ohio — It looks like two of the six Massillon football players will have to wait, as their Oct. 6 hearing was continued until at least before their Friday contest against Cornerstone Christian. 

According to documents, the OHSAA ruled the two brothers ineligible in a filing dated October 2, in response to an injunction filed by the parents of the six players who transferred before the season.

As of Thursday, four of the six will be available to play this Friday, as OHSAA did not rule on the three pending players, and the other player from Euclid was approved. 

The injunction or temporary restraining order after Tuesday's hearing will still be active, so that allows three of the six and the approved player to be protected and play. 

WHAT THE OHSAA IS SAYING ABOUT THE BROTHERS

The brothers were previously attending school at Hoban High School in Akron, and the duo left after being disciplined for what was called "unsportsmanlike conduct" related to the OHSAA state wrestling championships last March.

That controversy resulted in discipline being handed down by the school and imposed disciplinary consequences. On March 27, Hoban sent a letter concerning their refusal to complete the assigned disciplinary consequences and scheduled a Disciplinary Council meeting, which the family did not attend. 

The timing of the move, set against the timing of Hoban's disciplinary actions, supports the conclusion that the desire to transfer compelled the move. 

Although the family purchased a home on April 29 in Massillon City School District and was immediately enrolled at the school the next day, they did not submit their Exception 1 application until July 29, three months after the move. 

The OHSAA investigated, requested additional documentation, and ultimately denied the application on September 28. 

The TRO/injunction was filed by Lee Plakas on September 25 on behalf of the six players and granted and signed by Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione. 

That allowed all six to participate in their Week 6 and Week 7 (canceled) games. 

Brydon Feister (8) and Koletin Hodges (33) warm up before the game against St. Edward on September 18, 2026. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

 
PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING

On October 6, there was a hearing set up where both sides could present their case to retired visiting Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County. Unfortunately, the court couldn't come to a final ruling, so the temporary restraining order stayed in place for three of the players and the approved player. A final decision will be made before their Friday matchup against Cornerstone Christian, as reported by Tim Botos from the Canton Repository.