Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
Gadsden County High School’s football program has been banned from the upcoming FHSAA State Series, fined a total of $21,500, and placed on restrictive probation after an investigation found multiple eligibility and registration violations.
The Florida High School Athletic Association has sanctioned Gadsden County High School and its head football coach following findings that eight student-athletes participated in games and summer programs without proper registration.
According to the FHSAA’s compliance report, the school failed to report several players as non-traditional students and submitted EL12 participation forms with falsified or incomplete information.
The report says three players participated using outdated physical forms, and multiple students took part in summer activities before completing required registration.
The violations led to fines totaling $21,500, including $20,000 in penalties for the eight ineligible athletes. The school was placed on restrictive probation for one year and will be barred from participating in the FHSAA State Series for football during the 2025–26 season.
Head Coach Russell Ellington received his first official offense and must forfeit $5,000 of his salary, if applicable. He is also suspended from coaching or attending any interscholastic football games for one year, beginning with the 2025–26 preseason.
In a public letter, Ellington called the findings preliminary and said the school plans to appeal. “Neither the affected players nor I can respond or provide context regarding the investigation,” he wrote. “We will continue to fight not just for a game, but for justice, fairness, and the futures of the young men who have worked so hard.”
The eight student-athletes, whose names were redacted in the report, have been ruled ineligible to participate in any FHSAA sports until July 24, 2026.
This is a developing story. The Gadsden County News Service will continue to follow updates as they become available.
