The Louisiana High School Athletic Association said Friday that the release of the high school football playoff brackets will be delayed.

In a news release, the LHSAA said because of “ongoing litigation with one of our member schools” the brackets will not be released as scheduled on Sunday.

While it is LHSAA policy not to identify schools involved in litigation and rulings, the Advocate in Baton Rouge reported the lawsuit was filed by University High of Baton Rouge. The school, which is a perennial powerhouse in football, says in its brief that it is seeking a temporary restraining order against the LHSAA, which forced it to forfeit seven wins after finding two ineligible players. University was the No. 3 team in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A poll when the LHSAA handed down the eligibility ruling on Monday.

The news release went on to say, “Given the possible repercussions of the decision made, the LHSAA will withhold all eight postseason brackets until the legal process is concluded and the matter is fully resolved. We appreciate the understanding and patience of our member schools and fans as we work through this important issue.”

If the lawsuit drags on for any length of time, it could delay the start of the playoffs. That could have a ripple effect of moving the state finals out of the Superdome, scheduled for Dec. 12-14.

In an American Press search of team records on the LHSAA website, 23 games have been forfeited this season for various reasons.

Six of those forfeits were for on-field fights, something the LHSAA has tried to crack down on in recent years. Broadmoor and A.J. Ellender had to forfeit two games each after a fight in Week 1, while a fight between Comeaux and North Vermilion in Week 6 forced each team to forfeit their Week 7 games.

It was reported that George Washington Carver’s Week 1 and 2 forfeits were for an eligibility issue as was John F. Kennedy’s three forfeits (Weeks 1, 2, 3).

It is not the first high-profile eligibility issue earlier this calendar year. In February, Opelousas was stripped of its 2023 Non-select Division II football state championship after a player was ruled ineligible. But the school reached an agreement in court with the LHSAA, according to media reports, that allowed it to reclaim the title, and head coach Jimmy Zachery was put on a one-year probation and allowed to coach.