News Summary
Bishop Montgomery High School has suspended its varsity football program for the rest of the season due to multiple CIF rule violations, including payments for player transfers. The school’s self-reporting and termination of head coach Ed Hodgkiss highlight the seriousness of these infractions, amid ineligibility rulings for several players. The situation raises concerns about program integrity as the CIF Southern Section reviews the imposed sanctions and ongoing investigations unfold.
Torrance, CA – Bishop Montgomery High School has suspended its varsity football program for the remainder of the 2025 season, resulting in the forfeiture of all games played this season. The suspension is due to multiple violations of CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) rules that have come to light, placing the school’s football program under scrutiny.
The critical revelations include admissions from Brett Steigh, a booster commonly referred to as the ‘Money Man,’ who confessed to paying parents approximately $50,000 to facilitate the transfer of football players to various programs, including Bishop Montgomery. This practice raised alarm bells regarding fairness and compliance with CIF regulations.
Adding to the situation, Bishop Montgomery reportedly self-reported additional violations concerning transfer students, working in coordination with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Department of Catholic Schools. This action was taken following a significant influx of over 20 incoming football transfers recorded for the current season.
Last month, the CIF Southern Section ruled five players ineligible due to breaches of transfer bylaws and falsified documentation. As such, the current status of these players’ ability to transfer to other schools this season remains uncertain, compounding the issues surrounding the program’s integrity and compliance.
In light of these developments, Bishop Montgomery has announced the termination of football coach Ed Hodgkiss, who also held the position of co-athletic director at the school. The CIF Southern Section is now reviewing the self-imposed sanctions submitted by the school with respect to its football program.
In the context of Southern California high school football, other notable results from recent games include Bishop Amat’s victory over Valencia, Los Alamitos defeating Gardena Serra, and Tustin’s loss to Long Beach Poly. The top 25 CIF-Southern Section rankings show St. John Bosco leading the pack after a crucial win over the nationally-ranked St. Frances Academy.
The current rankings highlight the top teams as follows:
- 1. St. John Bosco (3-0) – Victorious against St. Frances Academy (21-14).
- 2. Mater Dei (2-0) – Narrowly won against Kahuku (21-18).
- 3. Mission Viejo (3-0) – Dominated Folsom (53-14) with quarterback Luke Fahey throwing five touchdowns.
- 4. Sierra Canyon (3-0) – Maintained a perfect defensive record, winning against Punahou (45-0).
- 5. Other notable teams include Santa Margarita, Orange Lutheran, and Los Alamitos.
The rankings are updated weekly throughout the season, ensuring fans remain informed about the performance of their teams. Upcoming games among the top-ranked teams feature St. John Bosco facing San Mateo Serra and Mater Dei playing against Corona Centennial, both anticipated matchups in the high school football calendar.
The suspension of Bishop Montgomery’s football program underscores the challenges of adherence to CIF regulations and the integrity of school athletic programs. As the situation evolves, the outcome of the investigations and reviews by the CIF Southern Section will continue to impact the school and its football program moving forward.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
High School Football Rankings Heat Up in Southland
Bishop Montgomery Forfeits Football Game Against Mater Dei
Additional Resources
- SI: Top 25 California High School Football Rankings
- Wikipedia: California Interscholastic Federation
- LA Times: High School Football Friday’s Scores
- Google Search: California High School Football
- ABC7: Bishop Montgomery High School Forfeits Season
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School
- Sacramento Bee: High School Sports News
- Google News: California High School Sports
- Modesto Bee: High School Prep Football
- Google Scholar: California High School Football regulations
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MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
