In an unprecedented move in GHSA football playoff history, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate voluntarily forfeited its first-round game against Banks County on Wednesday.
The forfeit comes in the wake of a fight that occurred involving players during the team’s game Friday against Hapeville Charter that decided the Region 6-AA championship. Hapeville won the game 57-6.
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate issued a statement Wednesday afternoon that read:
''In partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, we have decided to forfeit this Friday’s football game against Banks County as a result of students violating our code of conduct. It is our policy to not speak to the specifics of student disciplinary actions. We are proud of the work our scholar athletes have done in the classroom and on the field this year and we look forward to resuming football again next season.''
KIPP Atlanta students staged a walkout from classes on Wednesday morning, according to WSB-TV.
The game would've been KIPP 's first-ever playoff game. Instead, the team finishes with a 7-4 record after going 1-9 in each of its first two full varsity seasons.
KIPP will owe Banks County restitution and could face other possible fines and penalties, the GHSA said.
The game would've been Banks County's first home playoff game since 2011. Banks County is 0-9 all-time in playoff games. Banks County now will face the winner between Glenn Hills and No. 1-ranked Benedictine in the second round next week.
This is the first time in GHSA history that a team has voluntarily forfeited a football playoff game. It will be the first football playoff forfeit of any kind since 1994.
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