IHSA forces Maine South to forfeit nine football games because of ineligible players

Maine South, one of the elite high school football programs in the state, will be forced to forfeit nine victories from the 2022 season and will be put on probation for the 2023-24 school year.

According to the Illinois High School Association, the school self-reported that multiple players violated the IHSA’s residency bylaw.

‘‘The IHSA recently received credible information that Maine South football players who did not reside in the district participated on the team during the 2022 season,’’ IHSA executive director Craig Anderson said in a statement. ‘‘District 207 and Maine South High School personnel promptly conducted a meticulous internal investigation, in conjunction with the IHSA, after being informed of these allegations. After a thorough review, they self-reported violations of the IHSA residence by-laws by multiple student-athletes on its 2022 football roster.’’

The Hawks will forfeit 2022 victories against Barrington, Bolingbrook, Evanston, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South, New Trier, Niles West, South Elgin and Stevenson.

Maine South’s football program will be on probation during the 2023-24 school year, and the IHSA said any violations ‘‘may result in removal from the state football playoffs.’’

‘‘I commend Maine Township High School District 207 and Maine South High School personnel for recognizing the serious nature of these allegations and their diligence in investigating and reporting these violations,’’ Anderson said. ‘‘I believe that District 207 has already begun to take appropriate steps to prevent future issues like this from occurring again and will aid them in any way that I can in that process.’’

Maine South’s football program was last on probation in 2011. The IHSA suspended head coach Dave Inserra and an assistant for the season opener in 2011, as well.

Those penalties stemmed from the use of counterfeit sideline passes at the state finals and for having too many coaches on the field and in the press box.

Inserra is 230-38 with four state championships in 22 seasons as the head coach at Maine South. The program has six titles overall.

Inserra declined to comment on the story, referring inquiries to the district communications department.

‘‘We fully support the IHSA and accept the sanctions,’’ superintendent Dr. Ken Wallace said in a statement. ‘‘Along with [Inserra] we will work diligently to ensure this never happens again. Coach Inserra is a dedicated educator and coach, and we know that he will work tirelessly with us to eliminate this issue.

‘‘We will actively pursue any families that break the law and try to illegally enroll students in District 207, whether for athletic and/or academic reasons. Not only will students be dis-enrolled, but families will be held liable for the cost of tuition, as required by law.’’