Due to a rule change with a local youth football league, three 6th grade players in the Canonsburg area will not be allowed to play this season.
The Lil Macs Football & Cheer organization says the South Hills Youth Football League made a recent change that is sidelining the young players.
In April, the SHYFL voted 7-0 to remove maximum weight requirements for the 6th grade division, but after the required weigh-in earlier this week, the rule was reviewed and changed after the boys were reportedly deemed to be too heavy for the grade level.
The Lil Macs Football organization says they disagree with the rule change just days before the season was to begin.
“These players registered, prepared, purchased the required equipment, completed heat acclimatization, attended practices, and worked alongside their teammates to prepare for the 2026 season,” said the organization in a post.
The Lil Macs organization says they are not looking for any special treatment, but instead, “it is about fairness and the process that was followed.”
“The SHYFL rule states that maximum weights are ‘subject to review.’ We believe there is an important difference between reviewing a rule and changing an already-approved eligibility requirement after families and athletes have spent months preparing under that rule,” Lil Macs Football says.
The organization says it only wants to see the hard work, time commitment and money the boys and their family’s put into getting ready for the season to pay off.
The players were deemed too heavy to play at their age level
The players were deemed too heavy to play at their age level
