IHSA statement-

“In September 2024 the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) ruled that Hononegah High  School must forfeit one of its varsity football victories this season due to the use of an ineligible player. The IHSA is aware of the lawsuit that was filed today against Hononegah High School. At this juncture, there is no new information in the lawsuit that leads us to believe that any further IHSA sanctions are warranted or forthcoming. Hononegah has qualified for the IHSA Football Playoffs and is expected to participate accordingly. We will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and will react should additional IHSA by-laws infractions be discovered through the legal proceedings. Out of respect for the legal process, we will abstain from further comment at this time.”

(10-21-24) A federal lawsuit filed on October 18th against Hononegah High School and district leaders claims that they mishandled the fallout surrounding sanctions against the school and its football program by the Illinois High School Association.

The lawsuit did not include the IHSA, the plaintiff has requested a jury trial. No names of the student-athletes or family members are included.

Vecchio Law Offices, which represents the plaintiff, “John Doe,” says it filed the lawsuit on Oct. 18th. The lawsuit names the school, principal Chad Dougherty, athletic director Andrew Walters, head football coach Brian Zimmerman, assistant quarterback coach Jeremy Warren and the school’s chief Title IX officer Kendra Asbury as defendants.

The complaint outlines that John Doe is a student at Hononegah High School and former football player for the 2024-2025 school year. The 33-page lawsuit claims that John Doe’s coaches and teammates retaliated against Doe after his parent reported eligibility issues involving another team member.

Hononegah Superintendent Michael Dugan released a statement today denying the allegations of wrongdoing.

Hononegah Community High School #207 acknowledges the filing of a lawsuit. While the district cannot comment on the specifics of pending litigation, the district strongly denies the allegations of wrongdoing in the lawsuit against it and its employees.

We want to assure the community that our students and staff’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. We will continue to cooperate fully with legal process.Superintendent Michael J. Dugan, Hononegah Community High School

RELATED:

In September, the IHSA found that the school did not complete the appropriate paperwork, making the team member ineligible for the first three games of the season. As punishment, the IHSA put Hononegah High School on probation and required the team to forfeit its win against Harlem High School. The school’s athletic director, Andrew Walters, took responsibility for what he called “an oversight.”

The lawsuit claims Doe faced extreme and severe harassment, threats, intimidation, repeated bullying and went from being placed in a “prominent position on the team” to being shunned and demoted.

From the lawsuit—

Attorneys say despite reporting the issues to school officials, administrators did not investigate Doe’s claims, protect his identity or support him.

The lawsuit alleges that as a result, Doe left the team and “suffered loss of participating on the team, significant mental anguish and loss of opportunities related to college prospects and scholarships.”

Page 2 of lawsuit —

Accusations by John Doe of team member

PDF of complete lawsuit— Hononegah Football

NIC 10 Implications

Current NIC 10 standings…

No information in the lawsuit asked for the forfeited game to Harlem being overturned. The forfeit tunred the NIC 10 into a three-team tie at this time. Belvidere North and Harlem play on Friday, so at least one team will be elminated. Hononegah plays Belvidere and a win gives them a share of the title.

Without the forfeit Hononegah could end 9-0 and sole winner of the NIC 10 title.