Charles County Public Schools officials announced on Oct. 28, 2025, that North Point High School’s varsity football team must forfeit its first seven games of the fall season after an investigation uncovered a residency violation involving one student athlete. The player, who participated in those contests, was found to be attending the school without required documentation, rendering the team subject to forfeiture rules under the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association.
The violation came to light through a report received by school staff, prompting a review that confirmed the student did not meet Charles County Public Schools enrollment policies tied to local residency. Under MPSSAA guidelines, teams forfeit any games featuring an ineligible participant, a standard penalty for the first offense against a school. North Point, located in Waldorf, now carries an official record of 0-7, though it remains eligible for its final three regular-season games and potential playoff consideration, depending on regional standings.
School officials notified North Point staff, parents and students via email earlier that day. Principal Daniel Kaple described the development in his message as “a very very unfortunate situation; one that has devastating impacts on not only the varsity football team, but on our entire school community.” Federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, limit further disclosure about the student or investigation details.
In response, Charles County Public Schools plans a full residency audit of the North Point football program to ensure compliance moving forward. Such reviews involve verifying proofs of domicile, a key enrollment step that requires guardians to submit two documents, such as utility bills or lease agreements, confirming residence within the school’s attendance zone. Failure to update address changes promptly can lead to immediate student transfers to the correct zoned school.
The forfeited games span the early portion of North Point’s schedule, which began Aug. 29, 2025, against Thomas Stone High School in a 28-7 victory that now flips to a loss for the Eagles. Subsequent contests against Maurice J. McDonough High School (Sept. 5, 34-0 win), Patuxent High School (Sept. 12, 28-7 win), Northern High School (Sept. 19, 27-19 win), Henry E. Lackey High School (Sept. 26, 42-0 win), Calvert High School (Oct. 3, 35-7 win) and La Plata High School (Oct. 17, 56-6 win) also revert to defeats. Opponents in those matchups receive credited victories, potentially shifting regional playoff seeds in Southern Maryland’s competitive 4A South division.
MPSSAA rules, outlined in its annual handbook, tie athletic eligibility directly to proper school registration and attendance under local system regulations. Students must be bona fide enrollees, typically verified through residency, and maintain academic progress toward graduation. Violations trigger a structured penalty system: schools face game forfeitures for initial infractions, escalating to championship ineligibility or probation for repeats. The association requires local systems like Charles County to report issues within five school days, followed by a hearing and possible appeals to the state superintendent.
CCPS follows a protocol for any residency report, reviewing documents to confirm zone alignment. This incident aligns with that approach, though officials emphasized the rarity of such findings. The system’s student athlete handbook, accessible through school sites, details additional local actions, such as potential coaching reviews, beyond MPSSAA mandates. As the audit proceeds, North Point’s remaining slate includes an Oct. 30 road game at St. Charles High School and a Nov. 7 finale against Westlake High School, both critical for rebuilding momentum.