Wisevoter
Ohio

Ohio Supreme Court Dismisses OHSAA Complaint Against Judges

The court dismissed the athletic association's complaint against three appeals judges who had restored Massillon's Feister brothers' playoff eligibility.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Law

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a single football on green turf with white yard lines receding under warm autumn light.
The Ohio Supreme Court on Nov. 5 dismissed an Ohio High School Athletic Association complaint against three appeals judges who restored playoff eligibility to two Massillon football players. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should high school athletes who transfer schools be made eligible to play immediately?

The Ohio Supreme Court dismissed an Ohio High School Athletic Association complaint against three 5th District Court of Appeals judges on Nov. 5. The Massillon football players, Brayton and Brydon Feister, remain eligible for the OHSAA playoffs.

Why it matters

The ruling leaves in place an appeals court order that restored eligibility to two Massillon players after the OHSAA had ruled them ineligible. The dispute centers on whether the brothers' transfer from Akron Archbishop Hoban met OHSAA residence-change policy.

The Supreme Court dismissed the OHSAA complaint on Nov. 5, following an OHSAA filing on Oct. 23 seeking an emergency order to overturn the Oct. 16 appeals court action. Massillon opens the playoffs Friday night at home against Columbus DeSales.

The players

Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA)

The state body that governs interscholastic athletics in Ohio and set the residence-change eligibility rules at issue in the dispute.

Brayton Feister

A senior linebacker and running back at Massillon who is committed to the University of Oregon.

Brydon Feister

A junior defensive end at Massillon and a two-time state wrestling champion.

The details

The OHSAA had ruled the Feister brothers ineligible on Sept. 28 after they transferred from Akron Archbishop Hoban, finding they moved to Massillon from Green so they could transfer. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Norman removed a temporary order protecting their eligibility on Oct. 9, and the 5th District Court of Appeals reinstated eligibility on Oct. 16.

Timeline

  1. Sept. 25: Families of six Tiger players obtained a temporary order in Stark County Common Pleas Court.

  2. Sept. 28: The OHSAA ruled the Feister brothers ineligible.

  3. Oct. 9: Common Pleas judge removed the protective order.

  4. Oct. 16: Appeals court granted an emergency order restoring eligibility.

  5. Oct. 23: The OHSAA filed its complaint in the Ohio Supreme Court.

Legal Context

The dispute tests the limits of the OHSAA residence-change exception, which applies only where a move created the need to transfer. The case shows how courts have reviewed the athletic association's eligibility rulings through emergency orders.

Families and athletes in Ohio high school sports face uncertainty when eligibility rulings are issued and reversed by different courts. The outcome affects which players can compete in the postseason.

The takeaway

Eligibility disputes can change during the season as courts issue and lift temporary orders, so families should track rulings closely. The case shows that a court order can determine playoff participation even after an athletic body has ruled otherwise.

What happens next

Massillon opens the playoffs Friday night at home against Columbus DeSales.

Further reading

Explore more Ohio legal news for related court rulings across the state.

Live Poll

Should high school athletes who transfer schools be made eligible to play immediately?