BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
The Opelousas High football program according to multiple sources, has had its 2023 Division II non-select state championship vacated and its head coach suspended from coaching the team for one year, following a rules infraction investigation conducted by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.
Although the LHSAA has released no official statement in connection with the decision which apparently also requires Opelousas High to forfeit all 12 wins during 2023, information about the ruling began breaking statewide shortly before noon on Wednesday.
Opelousas High completed a memorable season in 2023, winning 12 of 15 games despite playing all but three of the contests away from Donald Gardner Stadium in Opelousas.
OHS also played all but one of five playoff games on the road before defeating Cecilia 26-13 for the state title.
The relinquishing of the state title, the proposed head coach’s suspension and forfeiture of all regular and postseason victories was released for publication on websites by By-U-Sports, Crescent City Sports and several Lafayette-area media outlets.
No official statement has been issued by either the St. Landry Parish School District or Opelousas High School regarding the apparent LHSAA investigation and decision.
The B-U-Sports story carried on its website, said that following the LHSAA investigation conducted over the past several weeks, that investigators had determined that the 2023 Opelousas High program contained multiple registration violations.
It is not clear at this point how many alleged registration violations were uncovered during the investigation.
Several of the media outlets have indicated that Opelousas High school officials have said that they plan to appeal the LHSAA ruling.
Opelousas High head coach Jimmy Zachery, Jr. was selected the 2023 Division II non-select head coach of the year. Zachery was also chosen as the District 5-4A coach of the year and St. Landry Parish Coach of The Year by St. Landry Now.com.
