The vandalism to motivate the team was stupid and could almost be overlooked because it was easily repaired except for the false blame they put on SPitt. The paying the college kid to practice with the team was a good idea except that it is illegal under TSSAA and possibly dangerous. Neither of these however gave Marion County's team an unfair advantage in my opinion. But breaking in and stealing playbooks is different. First of all breaking and entering is criminal. Secondly it did give Marion County's team an unfair advantage in those games. This throws their whole season into question and the TSSAA will have no choice but to strip them of all wins and titles if it is indeed true.
If the team is allowed to play, possibly eliminating more teams and possibly winning state, and is then stripped of all of it, then what? On the other hand, if they are not allowed to play and it is proven that the coaches did not steal any playbooks, then what? I thing the TSSAA needs to do a fast investigation and if proof of even one stolen playbook is found then the whole season needs to be forfeited.
I agree it is tough on the kids but that's the way life is. One member of a group can ruin it for the rest of the group; it happens all the time.