Opelousas High Appeal Denied; State Football Title Revoked

The Opelousas High School Tigers have been forced to forfeit their Division II Non-Select State Title after the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) denied their appeal. This decision also requires the team to forfeit all wins from the 2023 football season due to an issue regarding a player's eligibility. According to KATC, the ruling has significant consequences, including placing Tigers' head coach Jimmy Zachery on a one-year probation.

In response to the LHSAA's decision, St. Landry Parish Schools Superintendent, Milton Batiste, announced plans to involve a third-party arbitrator to challenge the forfeiture. However, attempts from our media partners at KATC to get comments from head coach Jimmy Zachery and the school's district attorney have been unsuccessful.

The school had hoped to overturn the decision that now strips them of their championship title won against Cecilia in December. With the title now considered vacated, the school and its supporters are preparing to contest the LHSAA's ruling further.

The community and the team are obviously hurt and disappointed the aftermath of this decision, with ongoing efforts to seek a resolution that could potentially restore the team's achievements. Further developments are anticipated as the school pursues its appeal with a third-party arbitrator.

See the full story and latest updates here via KATC.