One of Texas’ top high school football teams will be without its star quarterback after a district executive committee ruled him ineligible for varsity competition.
Argyle junior quarterback Hayes Hackney was ruled ineligible Tuesday, Oct. 20, following a unanimous 6-0 vote that determined he did not meet the University Interscholastic League’s residency requirements, according to the Dallas Morning News.
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Argyle, located about 40 miles northwest of Dallas, is ranked No. 3 in Class 5A Division II and holds a 7-1 overall record and a 4-0 district record.
Hackney transferred to Argyle from Prosper Walnut Grove during the offseason. The ruling centers on whether his family established a legitimate residence within Argyle ISD’s attendance boundaries.
The Eagles will not have to forfeit any victories because Hackney was initially ruled eligible by the same committee in May by a 4-2 vote.
According to the Dallas newspaper, Hackney’s parents own a multimillion-dollar home in Prosper that remains furnished and is currently being leased and marketed for sale. The family maintains they relocated to Argyle and no longer live at the Prosper property.
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“We made Argyle our home,” Hackney’s father, Mark, said during Tuesday’s hearing. “I left Prosper. I’m not going back. Argyle is home, and I’m happy to be there.”
Argyle coach and athletic director Todd Rodgers and district superintendent Courtney Carpenter testified that they conducted multiple home visits to verify the family’s residence.
The committee revisited Hackney’s eligibility after receiving anonymous emails in September alleging the family maintained dual residency.
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The ruling comes as Hackney was enjoying a standout season. He leads Dallas-area Class 5A quarterbacks with 2,574 passing yards and ranks second with 32 touchdown passes. Argyle’s offense is averaging 53.4 points per game.
Hackney’s family plans to appeal the decision to the UIL’s state executive committee, but time is running out. Argyle has just two regular-season games remaining, against Colleyville Heritage on Friday, Oct. 23, and Nevada Community on Oct. 30.
Hackney is the third prominent Dallas-area transfer quarterback ruled ineligible this year, joining Denton Ryan’s Colton Nussmeier and Lewisville’s Laykon Brassfield.
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This article originally published at Texas high school star QB ruled ineligible to play over residency dispute.
