Following a recent investigation by the Sac-Joaquin Section into potential rule violations and undue influence involving the Turlock High School football program, five players have been declared ineligible for the 2025 season. Additionally, an assistant coach has received a season-long suspension.
These updates were shared during a Turlock Quarterback Club meeting held Thursday evening at Crane Park. The club had earlier announced the session via Instagram, encouraging the participation of Turlock players and their families. A large turnout was seen, with nearly the entire football team, coaching staff, and 20 to 25 parents in attendance.
Though the official transfer portal for the upcoming academic year hasn’t opened yet—and the affected players’ names haven’t appeared on the Sac-Joaquin Section’s public records—Turlock head coach James Peterson and Principal David Kline confirmed during the meeting that five students will be benched due to their involvement with “The Lock,” an off-season training team.
“The Lock,” run by coaches affiliated with Turlock High, organizes 7-on-7 and 5-on-5 training games, often involving players from nearby schools. Some of those players later transferred to Turlock, a move that raised red flags under bylaw 510, which prohibits undue influence.
Principal Kline noted that while the Sac-Joaquin Section will issue formal ineligibility letters, the school chose to notify affected families directly over the phone to ensure timely communication.
While the five-player suspension is enforced by the Sac-Joaquin Section, the assistant coach involved—identified as Darron Silva—was suspended for a year by the Turlock Unified School District. Silva has played a significant role in “The Lock” since its formation.
Turlock High must submit a Corrective Action Plan by September 1 and has also been asked to apply internal sanctions as part of the penalty package. The program was found to be in violation of four different Sac-Joaquin Section bylaws between January and May 2025.
Kline told The Bee that any coach who works with athletes outside of official school programs must now sign an agreement to disclose all pre-enrollment interactions to the section. This aims to provide clarity and ensure fairness for student-athletes and their families.
“Parents need to understand that working with a school-affiliated coach outside the regular season counts as pre-enrollment contact,” Kline said. “And that could impact a student’s eligibility.”
As part of their self-imposed penalties, Turlock coaches who wish to continue with the school team must step away from “The Lock” for the 2026 season. Additionally, the team will no longer be allowed to use Turlock High’s facilities during that time. Kline emphasized the need to temporarily suspend “The Lock’s” activities to reassess how the program operates and prevent future violations.
Parent Reactions and Frustrations
Many parents voiced concerns over how the investigation was handled, particularly regarding transparency and communication. Some said they were unaware of the investigation and didn’t understand why their child was ruled ineligible. A few believed a clerical mistake—marking the status as “limited” instead of “out-of-season”—led to the violation of bylaws 504.7 and 504.9.
Coach Peterson acknowledged to The Bee on Tuesday that the issue stemmed from an administrative error.
Frustration also grew over the timing of the rulings, which were released one day after the official start of the football season. Families now feel they have limited time to respond or appeal before the season is underway.
Some parents accused the Sac-Joaquin Section of selectively enforcing its rules, claiming other schools in the Stanislaus District engaged in similar conduct without facing consequences.
Support for suspended coach Darron Silva was evident. One parent said students had organized a potential protest via Snapchat, planning to skip practice and meet at a local pizza restaurant to discuss next steps. Their goal was to rally and request the district reconsider Silva’s suspension. One student confirmed they were gathering contact information for school board members and district officials to voice their concerns.
Many athletes described Silva as a vital mentor and role model. Several credited him with motivating them to stay involved in the football program, even if not playing, encouraging them to help in other capacities like managing or keeping stats.
When repeatedly asked why Silva was removed without prior notice, Principal Kline stated that personnel matters are confidential and cannot be discussed publicly. “It’s a legal issue,” he said.
What’s Next for Turlock High
Players ruled ineligible may have the option to return to their previous schools to regain eligibility. Families and the school also have the right to appeal the decisions.
Kline explained that parents can file appeals with the section office. Meanwhile, the school may contest the penalties—including the corrective plan, self-imposed sanctions, a two-year probation period, off-season restrictions, and a ban on hosting home playoff games during the 2025-26 season.
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