Liberty Christian School, a Texas high school football powerhouse and state championship favorite, has filed a lawsuit challenging a playoff ban that threatens to derail their 2026 season. The legal action comes as the program prepares for what was expected to be a title-contending campaign.
The Argyle-based program features two-way standout Cooper Witten, who earned preseason All-America recognition from USA TODAY Sports ahead of the 2026 high school football season. Witten's dual-threat capabilities have made Liberty Christian one of the most talked-about teams in Texas high school football circles.
Details surrounding the specific reasons for the playoff ban and the governing body that imposed it were not immediately disclosed in initial reports. The lawsuit represents an aggressive move by the school to protect its postseason eligibility and preserve the competitive opportunities for its student-athletes.
Texas high school football operates under the University Interscholastic League (UIL), which governs athletic competition for public schools, while private schools like Liberty Christian often compete under separate associations such as the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). The legal challenge highlights the complex regulatory landscape facing elite high school programs in the state.
The case could set a precedent for how playoff eligibility disputes are handled at the high school level in Texas, where football holds immense cultural significance and competitive stakes are exceptionally high.
