BREAKING: Yorba Linda Forfeits 4 Wins Due to CIF-SS Violations

Yorba Linda’s football program has forfeited its first four wins of the 2026 season after the CIF Southern Section determined the Mustangs violated section bylaws on administrative oversight and undue influence.

The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District confirmed Wednesday that the Mustangs have submitted forfeits for victories over Laguna Beach (34-21), Long Beach Poly (30-13), El Dorado (27-0) and Esperanza (42-7). Yorba Linda’s only remaining result on the field is a 29-25 loss to Huntington Beach on Sept. 18 at Cap Sheue Field.

The forfeits drop the Mustangs from 4-1 to 0-5 heading into Friday’s Alpha League opener at No. 6 San Clemente (5-0). Yorba Linda entered the week ranked No. 13 in the JPWest Media CIF-SS Top 25.

CIF-SS issued its determination Tuesday. A district spokesperson said the substantiated violations “involve more than one student and more than one incident.”

“The investigation documented deficiencies over time in eligibility verification, communication between coaches and athletic administration and participation clearance,” the district stated. “These findings support the district’s conclusion that institutional failures occurred in the oversight of the athletic department and football coaching staff.”

CIF-SS cited Bylaw 503.B(1), which covers administrative oversight when ineligible students compete because required transfer paperwork was not submitted in time, and Bylaw 510, which addresses undue influence, pre-enrollment contact and athletically motivated transfers.

Yorba Linda High’s athletic department referred questions to the district Wednesday.

The district said it has coordinated with CIF-SS and already taken “the necessary corrective measures to ensure the football program remains eligible to compete in Alpha League contests and maintains the opportunity to qualify for CIF-SS competition.”

“Yorba Linda High School football student-athletes have dedicated significant time, effort and commitment to their team and school,” the statement continued. “The district’s focus now is on supporting, maintaining the integrity of the program and ensuring they have the opportunity to successfully complete the remainder of their season.”

This is the Mustangs’ first season under head coach John Domen, a longtime assistant who took over after Jeff Bailey resigned in the offseason to become head coach at Beverly Hills.

The Alpha League is a six-team league; the top three finishers earn automatic CIF-SS playoff berths. An offseason rule change requires at-large teams to finish with at least a .300 winning percentage or three wins.

Friday’s game at San Clemente is the first of five remaining regular-season games.