volref

What does this comment mean? Player or official? Reg season meeting or playoff?

I have sat here wondering if I should respond or just let it go but I feel that Rick88 and Watchfootball need a little insight. As for personal fouls (in that type of game) there could have been several more called. With tensions high and a lot on the line PF calls are the only thing anyone understands on either sideline. The ones in this game were either late hits or cheap shots and they were all there. As for trash talking, this is a unsportsmanlike foul not a personal foul. The distance is the same but 2 of these get you ejected. Pf can get you ejected immediately if they are flagrant. Additionally the UNSP foul for trash talking is not enforced unless it is directed at the opponent and the text is offensive. This is judgement and differs from whats offensive from one official to another but nevertheless it is the rule. I ask you, what game were you two watching? Penalties..... Only GIC's were called (game impact calls) and nothing away from the ball except the PF's. The officials nailed that game and it ended as it should've in regulation. FYI, unless you less than 5 yards away.... #5 was clearly on the knee as he changed directions, slipped, caught himself with the hand but only as the knee touched. Pop Warner would be glad to have those officials unless you two are watching, then I am sure they would decline. It was a absolute best of the best game that anyone could hope for regardless of the outcome. Anyone should be so lucky as to be involved in that type of atmosphere on any given Friday nite. The only negative thing about it, you two had be there to make sure you could tear something down that was an otherwise classic friday night game.

Mid '90's. Quarter final game. Bradley Central @ Faragat with winner to face Riverdale. Faragat fakes xpoint and goes for the 2 to win 65-64 in 7 overtimes. An absolute 4 and a half hour classic marathon.

Protests of NFHS rules are not recognized (1-1-11) Rule 1-1-6 states that the referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. The referee's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game.

FBMAN took the word right out of my mouth. He is dead on. Next FatCat will tell you that breaking the huddle with 12 is illegal. Good post FBMAN.

Just so you will know, disgusted fan, the TSSAA accepts applications all throughout the year for new officials. Step up and submit your fine physique and your obvoius knowledge of the game. You are what we have been missing all along.

Thoughts and prayers from the Zebra nation!

Thoughts and Prayers from the Zebra Nation!

Not trying to be a smart--- and yes that was a little uncalled for on my part, but I wanted you to try and see things from my perspective as to what really contributes to the effort we put forth. Sorry "buddy".

Footballdude, I cannot speak to the lying etc.... that certainly is inexcusable. If that is the case, I will apologize for all and tell you that he is not worthy of wearing the stripes. We probably do have some power hungry jerks out there but he or they are the exception and not the rule. I do not know where you are but in our are, association heads take screw ups very serious and DO hold us accountable. As for your math, I really hope that you are not teaching our children. $75 per game times 10 weeks = $750. If you work (maybe) 5 or 6 Freshmen games @ $50 per that is about $250. When you throw in a JV or 2 for good measure, another $100-$200 MAX. Best case scenario, $1250 per year (if you work consistently). By your #'s it would take me 5 to 6 years to make that kind of $. We ride together to talk, rules, situations and yes, save expenses... so what. You cannot outfit and official with total gear for less than $300 and most of this stuff has to be replaced if not every year, then every 2 years. Who do you think pays for this stuff? Most Fridays, we leave work @ 3:30. Drive and hour or 2. Call a ballgame. Drive and hour or 2 home. Usually about 11:30. That is an 8 hour day. Now I know that you are a math wiz but that braks down to less than $10 and hour. Again, as you can see, it certainly is NOT for the $.

DarnRef, Very pleased to hear your comments. For a while I thought you were not going to wake up out of that coma and respond to this badgering. I too participated in one of the finals (with DarnRef) and was very proud of the job that we did as a crew. We had no GIC's (game impact calls) and really worked a game to where you really didn't know we were there. As for some of the other instances in games, I feel for those involved. I can promise you this, no one wants to work a better game than those involved. As far as knowing the rules, the majority of coaches (mostly assistants) on Friday night really don't know the rules entirely. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I hear on Friday night (uncatchable ball) or (he was outside the tackle box). The fans are so educated by the Saturday and Sunday games, it makes them an expert on Fridays. The rules for high school football are enforced strictly for the protection of the players. The rules for college football are enforced strictly for the entertainment of the fans. The rules for professional football are enforced strictly for the benefit of the media and their money. Three separate games, three separate sets of rules all benefitting something different. As to Footballdude's comments about accountability, we (officials) have to answer to local associations as well as the TSSAA and to the coaches. We can be reprimanded and suspended and in some instances banned from calling at specific schools. So cool your heals, we get supervised and graded. If we screw up, we surely pay the price. Not a single official in this state does what we do for the money. What we go through and where we go, the money doesn't even pay our expenses. What we do, we do for the love of the game. Every Friday night regardless of where we are, every call we make 100% of the time we make 50% of the fans, players and coaches unhappy. We are not perfect but then again neither are the coaches and teams we service. We don't fumble the ball. We don't throw an interception. We don't miss a blocking assignment. And we don't take too much time to get a play off. So the next time you feel the urge to criticize, take a look at yourself and see if your perfect and if so, I will give you an application to one of the best fraternities in the world, High School Football Officiating.