General Information

Houston County Middle School Athletics Requirements for Participation

HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOLS COMPETITIVE INTERSCHOLASTIC EXTRACURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Principals, coaches, extracurricular sponsors and other appropriate personnel are to use the following guidelines to establish the eligibility of students for participation in competitive interscholastic extracurricular activities. All students who participate in a competitive interscholastic extracurricular activity must appear on the eligibility roster. Middle schools may use the roster format found in the Standards Manual. All questions concerning eligibility under State Rule 160-5-1-.18 and .19 should be addressed to the Board office in Perry.

Note: Ineligible students are prohibited from practicing or dressing out for any competitive extracurricular activity.

7th Grade Athletic Eligibility

* Students that are retained are ineligible for the entire school year; first and second semester.

First Semester - All students entering the seventh grade for the first time will be eligible for interscholastic extracurricular activities for fall semester.

Second Semester - To be eligible for participation in competitive interscholastic extracurricular activities the second semester of the seventh grade year, the student must have passed five of six classes the previous semester and be enrolled in six subjects the current semester.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION IN SEVENTH GRADE ATHLETIC/SPORTS ACTIVITIES

If a student enrolled in seventh grade meets the eligibility requirements above and will not have reached their 14th birthday prior to May 1st of the school year, the student will participate on seventh grade sports teams. If a student meets the eligibility requirements above and will have reached the 14th birthday prior to May 1st of the school year, the student must participate on eighth grade sports teams.

8th Grade Athletic Eligibility

* Students who are retained are ineligible for interscholastic extracurricular activities for the entire school year; first and second semester.

* Students who are placed are ineligible first semester, but may gain eligibility their second semester as long as they meet the grade and age requirements.

* It should not be assumed that because a student is in the next grade they are automatically eligible. Eligibility for 8th grade always depends on the grades earned the previous semester along with being promoted.

First Semester – To be eligible for participation in competitive interscholastic extracurricular activities the first semester of the eighth grade year, the student must have passed five of six classes the previous semester and be enrolled in six subjects the current semester.

Second Semester - To be eligible for participation in competitive interscholastic extracurricular activities the second semester of the eighth grade year, the student must have passed five of six classes the previous semester and be enrolled in six subjects the current semester.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION IN EIGHTH GRADE ATHLETIC/SPORTS ACTIVITIES

If a student enrolled in the eighth grade meets the eligibility requirements above and will not have reached their 16th birthday prior to May 1st of the school year, the student will participate on eighth grade sports teams. A student in the eighth grade who will have reached the 16th birthday prior to May 1 of the school year will be ineligible to play on eighth grade sports teams.

Note: For 7th and 8th Grade: If retained, a student is ineligible the first semester and may not gain eligibility the second semester.

The following will govern Houston County Middle School Athletic Eligibility:

4 Semester Rule – No student may be eligible to participate at the middle school level for a period lasting longer than 4 semesters; two fall semesters and two spring semesters.
If a student that is ruled ineligible competes interscholastically, one or more of the following actions shall be taken against the school involved in the interest of restitution and fairness to the competing schools:
Require that individual and/or team records and performance achieved during competition be vacated or stricken.
Require that team victories be forfeited to opponent(s)
Require that team awards earned by the school or individual awards earned be returned.
If it is determined that the school has exercised every reasonable precaution and has been deceived regarding the students data, any and all penalties may be set aside.
Student athletes who are charged in the community with a felony or misdemeanor offense are subject to suspension or dismissal from middle school athletic teams.

The information below is for rising 8th grade students/athletes with existing accounts:

Please DO NOT create a new account. If you do not remember your username or password, please click "Forgot Your Password?" and follow the steps.
Log into your existing account (laptop or desktop work best.)
Go to "Prep for 2023-2024" and click on "Get Started" or "Revisit Paperwork." If you have already completed the steps below, go to the last bullet point.
If the forms have expired or will expire within the next couple of months, click on each form and follow these steps:
- Click "Fill Out Another Copy Electronically."
- Fill our the information required.
- Click "Sign and Complete."
- It may not appear that it worked/saved because you will not see the new copy show up.
Continue the process until all expired or soon to expire forms are completed.
If you choose to upload new physical forms, please be sure to upload BOTH pages of the PPE Physical Examination & Clearance Form and BOTH pages of the PPE Health History form.
If you can't upload the physical forms, be sure to drop a copy off at the front office by July 11, or email a copy to Coach Mizell at randy.mizell@hcbe.net.
DragonFly Max does not notify schools when expired forms have been updated for each athlete.
Please send Coach Mizell an email at randy.mizell@hcbe.net with your athlete's name letting him know that the forms have been completed for your athlete.

General Information

Houston County Middle School Athletics Requirements for Participation

7th Grade Athletic Eligibility

8th Grade Athletic Eligibility

Documents

2024-2025 Coaching Staff

Required Paperwork

ALL parents of athletes must create a DragonFly account and complete all the paperwork in DragonFly Max.

DragonFly Max Information