Warren Easton Forfeits Football Wins To Ruston, Catholic-Baton Rouge

by Hunter Bower, GeauxPreps.com Owner

BATON ROUGE – Warren Easton’s 2023 high school football season has been off to a rocky start as it now finds itself grappling with the aftermath of two forfeitures, following a recent undisclosed ruling by the LHSAA.

Warren Easton’s victories in the opening two weeks against Ruston and Catholic of Baton Rouge are now ruled as forfeits. This brings the Eagles to a 0-3 record for the season.

Forfeits are typically the outcome following violations of the LHSAA procedures such as ineligible participation.

This recent ruling is not the first brush with controversy for Warren Easton. Earlier this year, the program faced severe penalties when it was banned from the 2023 postseason due to alleged recruiting violations involving members of the coaching staff.

According to the LHSAA findings, the school was slapped with a $5,000 fine, and two assistant coaches were suspended for the season. The allegations centered around claims that the coaches had ventured to Marrero Middle School in an attempt to recruit players, a practice strictly forbidden by the LHSAA.

This latest setback will undoubtedly be a harsh blow for the Eagles, who have been a powerhouse in Louisiana high school football. The team, under the leadership of current head coach Jerry Phillips, has made remarkable strides in recent years. They secured the top seed in the Select Division I playoffs just last year and have made it to the state championship game four times since 2014.

The forfeit victories improve Ruston to an undefeated mark on the year at 3-0 while Catholic of Baton Rouge improves to 2-1 on the year.

Easton is set to play Booker T. Washington on Thursday night at Pan American Stadium.