The Ipswich High boys lacrosse team was looking forward to facing top-seeded Cohasset High in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Division 4 playoff semifinals Tuesday night in Scituate.
Instead, the Tigers were forced to forfeit the game Tuesday afternoon.
Multiple sources told The Salem News that the reason was due to a violation of the MIAA’s ‘Chemical Health Rule’, with multiple players reportedly smoking cigars after Ipswich High’s graduation this past Sunday. There were enough players involved that the Tigers were not able to field an 11-man varsity team for their scheduled semifinal against the Skippers of Cohasset.
The MIAA’s Chemical Health Policy states that “During the entire academic year, a student shall not, regardless of the quantity, use or consume, possess, buy/sell or give away any beverage containing alcohol; any tobacco product; marijuana; steroids; or any controlled substance. It is not a violation for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed for the student’s own use by his/her doctor. The year begins with the first day of fall practice.”
For a first time violation of this rule, the MIAA website says that “The student(s) shall lose eligibility for the following interscholastic contests totaling 25 percent of all interscholastic contests in that sport.”
School administrators could not be reached for comment, but the Ipswich High School website posted the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
“Ipswich High School was very excited to have its boys lacrosse team advance to the Division 4 state semifinals that was scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. The team and coaching staff decided that due to the shortage of available players that it was in the best interest of the team to forfeit the game. We congratulate all of our players and coaches on a great season and for advancing to the Final Four.”
The MIAA released its own one-word statement, saying it “has been informed by Ipswich High School that it is forfeiting its 2026 Division 4 Boys Lacrosse semifinal game.”
Seeded No. 4 in the Division 4 playoff bracket, Ipswich had been hoping to win its first MIAA boys lacrosse state championship since 2017 and its third in program history. It had previously defeated Tyngsboro (18-1), Lunenburg (17-1) and Winthrop (14-8), all on their home turf, in the first three rounds of the state playoffs.
The Tigers will finish the season with a 14-4 record. They will also graduate a dozen seniors from the 2026 squad.
Contact Phil Stacey
@PhilStacey_SN