Bishop Sycamore High School scandal

An American football team named the Bishop Sycamore Centurions, based in Columbus, Ohio, purported to be the high school football team of Bishop Sycamore High School. The high school was advertised as an athletic sports training academy, but after a blowout loss to IMG Academy that was televised on ESPN on August 29, 2021, there was increased scrutiny and an investigation into the school's existence. This investigation uncovered the identities and credentials of the team's administration. A former executive for the Ohio High School Athletic Association came forward to say that after three years of investigating the school, he was convinced that it was a "scam".^[3] A report published in December 2021 by the Ohio Department of Education concluded likewise.^[1]

The Centurions suffered lopsided losses in all six of their 2020 games, but their lack of success did not hinder their ability to schedule marquee games against elite preparatory and high schools. The televised game against IMG Academy was the second time they had played the school, following a similar 56–6 loss in 2020. Their 2021 schedule was ranked the fourth most difficult of any high school team in the United States. In the wake of the scandal surrounding the game, Bishop Sycamore's remaining opponents canceled their games against the team.