One of the most dominant private-school football programs in Texas has been knocked out of the playoffs, and it didn’t happen on the football field.
Argyle Liberty Christian, a two-time state champion in the past three seasons and the favorite to capture another TAPPS title this year, has been removed from the 2026 postseason following an eligibility ruling.
On Tuesday, November 3, the TAPPS Executive Board ruled that the Warriors violated its transfer eligibility rules. The decision forces Liberty Christian to forfeit games and removes the program from the Division I playoff bracket.
The school strongly disputes the findings and is considering legal action.
For a program that has spent years overwhelming opponents, the sudden ending is especially stunning.
One of Texas’ Most Dominant Football Programs
To appreciate the significance of this ruling, consider what Liberty Christian has accomplished over the past several seasons.
Under former Dallas Cowboys star Jason Witten, the Warriors became a powerhouse in Texas private-school football.
In 2023, Liberty Christian completed a perfect 14-0 season and captured the TAPPS Division II state championship. The Warriors demolished Austin Regents 52-10 in the title game.
That wasn’t an unusual result for that team.
Liberty Christian averaged an astonishing 51.1 points per game while allowing just 6.4. Their average victory margin was nearly 45 points.
The following season, the Warriors moved into TAPPS Division I, the association’s highest football classification.
Apparently, the increased competition wasn’t much of a problem.
Liberty Christian went 12-1 and defeated Dallas Parish Episcopal 45-24 in the championship game.
That victory was particularly significant. Parish Episcopal had won five consecutive Division I state championships before Liberty Christian dethroned the Panthers.
The Warriors defeated Parish Episcopal twice that season, proving their championship performance was no fluke.
Across those two championship seasons, Liberty Christian won 26 games and lost just once.
Additionally, the Warriors reached the Division I state quarterfinals in 2025, finishing 8-4.
With five state championships in school history, including titles in 1994, 1996, and 2007, Liberty Christian has established an impressive football tradition.
However, its recent championship run elevated the program to another level.
Another State Championship Favorite in 2026
When Witten departed for the University of Oklahoma, Liberty Christian hired former Nebraska assistant Josh Martin as head coach.
Despite the coaching change, the Warriors continued winning.
Liberty Christian completed the 2026 regular season with an 8-2 record on the field, including a perfect 6-0 district mark.
Remarkably, those two losses came by a combined four points.
The Warriors fell 35-34 to Celina and 66-63 to Midland Christian. Every other opponent finished on the losing side of the scoreboard.
This season, Liberty Christian averaged 51.6 points per game, continuing the explosive offensive production that defined its championship teams.
Quarterback Crews Messer threw for approximately 2,980 yards and 40 touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Correll Buckhalter Jr. accumulated 1,541 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.
The roster also featured Cooper Witten, a five-star linebacker committed to Oklahoma and one of the nation’s highest-rated recruits.
With that talent, another undefeated district campaign, and recent championship experience, Liberty Christian entered November as a leading contender for the Division I crown.
Instead, the Warriors may never get the opportunity to compete for it.
What Led to the TAPPS Ruling?
According to TAPPS’ official announcement, the association determined that Liberty Christian violated Section 104 of its bylaws, commonly called the “follow the coach” rule.
The rule prohibits a transfer student from participating in varsity athletics for one year if a coach at the new school coached or trained that athlete during the previous 12 months.
It includes participation in outside organizations, such as 7-on-7 football programs.
TAPPS determined that a transferring player had previously participated on a 7-on-7 team coached by Liberty Christian assistant Antonio Griffin.
Although TAPPS did not publicly identify the student, The Dallas Morning News reported that the player was senior wide receiver Jace Johnson, who transferred from Abilene Cooper.
The association also concluded that Liberty Christian’s athletic leadership and coaching staff knew, or should have known, about the prior relationship.
Consequently, the Warriors must forfeit games in which the player participated, eliminating their playoff eligibility.
Liberty Christian Disputes the Decision
Liberty Christian isn’t accepting the ruling quietly.
In a statement to families, the school called the decision “unfair and unjust” and maintained that it had submitted evidence disputing the allegations.
School officials also indicated they were considering legal options to challenge the decision.
The disagreement centers partly on whether Griffin actually coached Johnson or merely owned the outside 7-on-7 organization.
Coaches associated with the program have publicly disputed TAPPS’ conclusion about Griffin’s coaching involvement.
Meanwhile, Michelle Witten, Cooper’s mother and Jason Witten’s wife, has questioned the evidence used in the ruling.
She alleged that versions of an email shared during the controversy contained different wording about Griffin’s responsibilities. Those allegations have not been independently established.
According to November 5 reporting by Greg Riddle of The Dallas Morning News, TAPPS executive director Bryan Bunselmeyer said the association followed its established procedures. At that point, TAPPS had not received notice of a formal appeal or lawsuit.
For now, the removal remains in effect.
A Championship Race Without Its Favorite
The ruling has already changed the postseason.
TAPPS redrew its eight-team Division I playoff bracket and postponed the opening round by one week, giving schools additional time to prepare.
Addison Trinity Christian Academy received a playoff berth following Liberty Christian’s removal.
Instead of preparing for another state championship run, the Warriors are now fighting an administrative decision that threatens to end their season.
The situation is particularly disappointing for seniors who helped sustain one of the most successful stretches in school history.
Over the past four seasons, Liberty Christian has won two state championships, reached another state quarterfinal, and completed another undefeated district campaign.
The on-field accomplishments are substantial, regardless of how the eligibility dispute is ultimately resolved.
For years, opposing teams struggled to stop the Warriors.
Now, an eligibility ruling has done what few opponents could: keep Liberty Christian out of the playoffs entirely.
