Stunning Reversal: Appeals Court Clears Feister Brothers for Rest of Season

(10-16-26) They’re suiting up again.

Massillon standouts Brayton and Brydon Feister are eligible to play the rest of this season — starting with tonight’s game at Warren Harding — after the 5th District Court of Appeals granted a preliminary permanent injunction shortly before noon today, Oct. 16.

The ruling

The appeals court order, penned by Judges William B. Hoffman, Andrew J. King and Kevin W. Popham, restores the brothers’ eligibility by effectively overriding both the OHSAA’s Sept. 28 declaration of ineligibility and visiting Judge Andrew Logan’s Oct. 9 Stark County Common Pleas Court ruling.

The order also cancels a hearing that had been scheduled for Oct. 22 in Muskingum County. The 5th District covers 18 Ohio counties and has authority to hear cases originating in municipal and common pleas courts within the district.

Reaction

Attorney Lee Plakas, who represents the Feisters and the families of four other Massillon players, welcomed the ruling.

Plakas told the Repository-

“The decision respects American ideals and constitutional rights.”

What could come next

OHSAA attorney Joseph Fraley said the association could pursue further legal action, including an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. But any additional proceedings could take months — potentially making the dispute moot before a final decision is reached.

For now, the Tigers get their two best players back: senior Brayton, a four-star Oregon commit and all-state linebacker from Hoban, and junior Brydon, all-state at Hoban and the Tigers’ leader with 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Tigers in Trouble: OHSAA Rules Feister Brothers Ineligible for Rest Of Season

No Answer Yet: Judge Separates Feister Case, Will Rule Friday