Massachusetts High School Lacrosse Team Forfeits Playoff Game After Cigar Photo; Parents Dispute Whether Cigars Were Real

Ipswich High School's boys lacrosse team, which had been undefeated heading into the postseason, was forced to forfeit its MIAA Division 4 state semifinal on Tuesday after school officials ruled nine players ineligible over a graduation celebration photo showing them with cigars in their mouths. Players and parents insist the cigars were tobacco-free — senior Christian Gianakakis said his father hand-rolled them after fake cigars ordered online failed to arrive in time, and another parent brought a sample cigar and a receipt to Principal Jonathan Mitchell as evidence. According to parents, Mitchell initially told them the players were cleared to participate, but the decision was reversed roughly four hours before game time, reportedly after the superintendent's office sought further review. The school's official statement cited a 'shortage of available players' as the reason for the forfeit, without addressing the tobacco dispute. MIAA Executive Director Bob Baldwin told WEEI the organization was aware of the situation but that eligibility determinations in such cases are handled at the local level. MIAA rules mandate that a student found to have used tobacco products loses eligibility for contests totaling 25% of that sport's season. The episode has drawn sharp criticism from parents, who argue the punishment was disproportionate and that the administration failed to adequately consider the evidence presented.