WIAA Orders Four Archbishop Murphy Football Forfeitures

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has confirmed that Archbishop Murphy High School will forfeit four football games due to an ineligible player.

The ruling, finalized by the WIAA Executive Board on October 29, converts three previous victories into losses. The Wildcats, who defeated Lynden 35-14 on Thursday, now hold a 5-4 overall record. In conference play, their record stands at 4-4. The WIAA also placed the school's athletic department on a one-year probation, a status that will run until October 29, 2027.

The penalty stems from a transfer of a student from Woodinville High School to Archbishop Murphy during the offseason. The WIAA found that the student participated in a non-school 7-on-7 football team called the Wipe Me Down Boyz. A coach from Archbishop Murphy was affiliated with that team. Under WIAA Handbook 18.12.5, a student who receives personal training from a person affiliated with a new school is ineligible for varsity play in sports played during the previous calendar year.

Archbishop Athletic Director Jeff Latta argued during the appeal hearing that the coach involved had no formal role in the non-school program. He stated the coach was present only to support his brother, the student-athlete. Latta suggested the school should bear the penalty directly rather than the entire football program. The WIAA Executive Board voted to uphold the forfeitures after reviewing materials from both sides. They determined the coach's involvement was sufficient to trigger the rule.

The school's legal counsel plans to seek a permanent injunction in Superior Court. They argue the rule is arbitrary and capricious. Under state law, aggrieved parties have 30 days to file an appeal. The court would hear the case de novo, meaning the judge would review the evidence from the beginning without deference to the WIAA's initial decision.

Despite the probation, the Wildcats remain eligible for the state tournament. The Northwest Conference confirmed that Archbishop Murphy will advance as one of five Class 2A teams representing District 1. The conference's other qualifiers are Lynden, Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, and Squalicum. The WIAA handbook allows schools on probation to participate in all interscholastic activities unless a specific exception is noted.

The forfeitures impact games against Bellingham, Sehome, and Burlington-Edison, which were previously wins. A loss to Anacortes remains on the books. Games against Sultan and Lakewood were removed from the schedule after those schools opted out, a move allowed under conference rules. The Northwest Conference counted those opt-outs as wins for Archbishop Murphy. The Wildcats will continue their season with the goal of defending their Class 2A state title.