Sunnyside football team could have state title removed over player's age

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A football team in Sunnyside may be forced to give up their state title after a complaint that a star player was too old to be on the field in the first place.

The game in question was a championship match up between Pro-Vision Academy and Tomball Christian Home School.

Pro-Vision Academy is a charter school in the heart of Sunnyside. It was their first state title in football. It was, and is, a huge deal for the team, the coaches, and the entire Pro-Vision community. Whatever happens, the pride they brought this campus won't change.

Pro-Vision Academy beat Tomball Christian Warriors 26-23 when the teams played at Houston Baptist University for the Texas Christian Athletic League, or TCAL, football State Championship over Thanksgiving weekend.

Tamira Smith says it's something her community is proud of.

"It means a lot just to say this is a product of Sunnysid, to say there's something positive going on in Sunnyside," Smith tells us.

Her son is an eighth grader at the school.

We've learned Tomball Christian brought a complaint to TCAL alleging that one of their players was too old to be on the field. Pro-Vision's principal, Andre Credit said in a statement: "Upon further review, the student athlete in question was thought to have qualified under an allowable provision, however TCAL rendered a decision to the contrary."

"It doesn't matter the age if they're still in school and enrolled in school, then they should be able to play on any sports team," says Smith.

TCAL wouldn't comment on the specifics of their investigation, but officials tell us they'll meet with staff at Pro-Vision Thursday and an announcement will come after. But in the statement he sent to ABC13, the principal says "though unfortunate, Pro-Vision Academy understands that this decision to rescind the state title in no way negates the talent that our student athletes possess."

"They worked hard for it. They practiced for it. To take away the championship is not fair to the school, the students, or the coaches," Tamira Smith added.

One man told us off camera that if they knowingly broke the age rule, then they deserve to get stripped.

We reached out to Tomball Christian for comment, but they declined, saying they'll be able to discuss Thursday.

You can read the entire statement from Pro-Vision's principal below:

After winning the Football State Championship, it was brought to our attention that Tomball Christian Academy initiated a compliant to the Texas Christian Athletic League, T*CAL, alleging that one of Pro-Vision's student athletes did not meet the qualifying age requirements. Upon review, the student athlete in question was thought to have qualified under an allowable provision, however T*CAL rendered a decision to the contrary.

Though unfortunate, Pro-Vision Academy understands that this decision to rescind the State title in no way negates the talent that our student athletes possess. Our students demonstrate that they are champions everyday in the classroom, and by way of their demonstrated character. We respect the parameters of the Texas Christian Athletic League regulations, and will continue to encourage our students to excel."