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Judge Dissolves Injunction, The First Academy Barred From FHSAA Playoffs

The ruling cited improper venue, signaling the plaintiffs did not meet the legal standard for emergency relief.

Overview

  • Orange County Judge Margaret H. Schreiber vacated last week’s temporary order, leaving The First Academy’s two-year postseason ban in place.
  • The case was transferred to Alachua County at the FHSAA’s request, and the planned evidentiary hearing did not proceed.
  • Indian Rocks Christian was confirmed as the No. 8 seed in Region 2-1A after the injunction was dissolved.
  • The FHSAA sanctioned The First Academy on Nov. 1, 2024 for early participation by 10 athletes and recruiting violations, and the board denied the school’s appeal on Nov. 8, 2024.
  • Attorneys for The First Academy argued the penalties were arbitrary and harmful to players’ recruiting and NIL prospects, while the team finished this season 5-5 and ranked No. 13 in the USA TODAY Florida Network Super 25.