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A high school football controversy in the state of California has sparked a transfer debate on social media. Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance is at the center of the scandal.
Falsified information has led to the removal of five players. The news comes with the team just days away from its season opener.
Each of those players came in from previous school. They were five members of what’s been described as an “egregious” incoming transfer class.
Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times was the first to report on the situation. The players have been ruled ineligible on the grounds of a CIF bylaw 202 violation.
What rule did the California high school football players break?
B. Penalty for Providing Incorrect, Inaccurate, Incomplete or False Information
“If it is discovered that any parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver or student has provided incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information in regards to any aspect of eligibility status on behalf of a student, that student is subject to immediate ineligibility for CIF competition at any level in any sport for a period of up to 24 calendar months from the date the determination was made that incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete or false information was provided.”
The CIF, Southern California’s governing body for high school athletics, states that eligibility information was falsified. The punishment can result in up to a two-year ban for players.
Football transfers in the area have become a talking point over the last few seasons.
Madden Iamaleava was deemed ineligible after changing schools in 2024. That ruling was handed down after it was determined that his transfer to Long Beach Poly was “athletically motivated.”
Iamaleava’s brother, Nico, also hopped high schools while playing in California.
According to Sports Illustrated, the CIF Southern Section office “reported 336 transfers in July, which was up 13% from last July.”
Bishop Montgomery’s mass influx of transfer talent raised eyebrows. The California Interscholastic Federation was forced to investigate.
“In the 27-plus years I’ve worked at the CIF Southern Section, I’d say it’s not standard operating policy for the commissioner to visit a school and its administration over transfers.”
-CIF assistant commissioner Thom Simmons
Should the rules be changed?
Some have called for more lax transfer restrictions upon seeing the latest high school football drama.
“The system is broken – cheating is the norm,” wrote one social media user. “CIF should allow unrestricted transfers for sports, at least a one-time transfer.”
“End the transfer rules and give every student a one-time transfer allowance… It’s that simple. This only hurts students and is a power grab,” echoed another.
Many looked no further than the NCAA’s recent transfer issues when predicting what’s to come at the high school level. The college football portal is a revolving door with little to no regulation. Will high school follow suit?
At the moment, the CIF appears to be cracking down on transfers. Bishop Montgomery is the latest case study.
The Knights will now brace for further attrition with Sondheimer suggesting more players could see the same outcome. The school is set to face Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis on Saturday.