CIF-SS Denies Full Eligibility for Orange Lutheran Transfer Austin Attalah

The CIF Southern Section has rendered a decision regarding the eligibility of Austin Attalah, a junior offensive tackle at Orange Lutheran High School. On Wednesday, the governing body announced that Attalah would not be eligible to participate at the varsity level in football for the current season, following his transfer from Cajon High School.

Attalah enrolled at Orange Lutheran in late July 2026 and received “limited eligibility,” a designation that restricts his participation to junior varsity or lower levels this year. This ruling is documented on the CIF Southern Section’s transfer database but does not provide specific reasons for the limited eligibility ruling.

At 6 feet 7 inches and 305 pounds, Attalah is recognized as a prominent player in his class, ranking as California’s second-best recruit for the Class of 2028 by Rivals and On3. His commitment to Texas Tech was made public on August 27, 2026, a notable achievement that underscores his potential in college football.

Orange Lutheran’s athletic director, Karen Kekipi, emphasized that the school cannot disclose details related to Attalah’s individual case, citing confidentiality in ongoing processes. She indicated that the family has decided to appeal the decision made by CIF and affirmed the school’s respect for the CIF’s adjudicative role in these matters.

The appeals process for such rulings is conducted through the CIF State office, allowing for further examination and potential reversal of the decision. Prior to his transfer, Attalah had previously moved to Cajon, where he sat out the last football season and subsequently faced a transfer-related sit-out period that began on August 4, 2025.

As it stands, Attalah has yet to participate in any games this season for the Lancers. Orange Lutheran’s football team, currently holding a record of 1-1, faced a close 23-22 loss against Miami Central from Florida on August 21, followed by a victory over Cathedral Catholic with a score of 38-24 last week. Ranked fourth in Orange County, the Lancers are set to compete against nationally-ranked Basha High School from Arizona this Friday at Orange Coast College.

While the situation remains fluid, the outcome of the appeal will significantly impact both Attalah’s high school football experience and the trajectory of the Orange Lutheran football program this season. Further updates will follow as the appeal progresses through the appropriate channels, continuing to reflect the complexities involved in high school athletics and transfer protocols.