11/08/2025
Parents in Spotsylvania are claiming their kids are being denied a hard-earned opportunity to compete.
hyperbole received a number of messages on Friday regarding a recent reshuffling of the Battlefield District's junior varsity football championship that's leaving first place Spotsylvania High School on the bench.
According to letters from several of those parents, approximately a dozen Spotsylvania High School JV players were offered an opportunity to dress out for the varsity team in two games "as a reward for their hard work" this season. Their playtime was reportedly limited to approximately 45 seconds in total for each player, and only at the end of lopsided games.
One parent says other athletic directors at a number of schools have acted similarly, telling hyperbole that all schools seemed to be in agreement: since JV players weren't receiving any development in these instances, they wouldn't count towards the varsity teams' rosters.
But a recent petition from one of the surrounding school's athletic directors has reportedly challenged that interpretation, claiming that Spotsy's JV players who dressed for varsity games are no ineligible to play.
A corresponding vote by three other athletic directors within the Battlefield District has reportedly affirmed that challenge. It will now be third place Courtland High School, not first place Spotsylvania, facing off against Culpeper County for the championship next Tuesday.
The last-minute shuffling of the schedule was announced earlier this week, with one parent telling hyperbole that the news came down from Spotsylvania High School athletic director (and former football coach) Jeremy Jack. That parent says they and others were informed of the decision this past Tuesday.
With the clock seemingly (and suddenly) up on Spotsylvania High School's undefeated season, parents and players are feeling blindsided. They're speaking out against that decision, saying it has no written rule to support it.
"Never have we ever heard of a forfeit between two teams playing for first and second place leading to the third-place team now having the opportunity to get first or second place," wrote one upset parent.
That same parent also encourages a review to ensure Courtland didn't violate the same rule of dressing JV players for varsity games, and questions whether Virginia High School League (the organization that governs school athletics) is aware of how their rules are being interpreted.
"Our JV team went undefeated. They earned their spot. These young men have shown commitment, sportsmanship, and excellence all season long," that same parent continued.
"To deny them the opportunity to compete for a championship they rightfully earned sends the wrong message about fairness and accountability in high school athletics."
hyperbole reached out to the VHSL for clarity. They're punting.
"Other than the number of quarters a student can play and allowing 8th grade students to play JV we do not deal with matters of this nature," Executive Director Ty Gafford responded.
hyperbole could not reach any of the athletic directors immediately for comment.
Something is clearly amiss in the VHSL junior varsity football schedule; both Courtland and Spotsylvania high schools are slated to face off simultaneously against Culpeper County next Tuesday at 6:00 PM.
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