Ericblair

Blaze I agree with your comments...my observation was that it just seemed odd that in a season ending game for one team, career ending game for most on that team that one team had six technical fouls called by the same official....uniquely... one for delay of game, one for out of coaches box, one on a special needs student, and three after the game was over and only one of which involved a direct comment to the official. Heck, I haven't seen that type of justice served since Barney Fife locked up half of Mayberry when Andy had to go to Mt Pilot. I've coached for years and never had a technical foul....and respect the heck out of what officials do...but it seems here that some of the players aren't the only ones that lost their cool. Have a good day and I appreciate the discussion.

Don't recall mentioning capri suns or cookies and I never mentioned refs being crooked as I don't believe they are. They have tough jobs and I would not want it. And as an educator, I 100% agree that respect is paramount. Based on the account above, all but one the technicals was assessed by the same ref. 4 of which occurred after the game was over and one on a special needs student, which just seems odd. And while we are offering observations about programs and player behavior, coaching priorities, and whatever, its worth noting that on Cleveland's bench WAS as special needs student....(anyone ever seen Radio) that was t-ed up. Stopping to hand out technicals after a game is over only has the potential to inflame an already bad situation as what happened here. It is not time for a teaching moment. Which is why you will see in close games (college, pros, high school) the refs run off the floor so as not to either hear (or ignore) or give chance for uncharacter like emotions to take over. That did not seem to happen here and only served to make a bad situation worse.

Didn't see the game and have no horse in the race but an official that calls six technical fouls in a substate game, three after the horn blows is officiating for the wrong reasons. Horn blows you sprint off the court...emotions are raw...not condoning bad player behavior but at game's end, what are your really accomplishing other than drawing attention to yourself... and thanks for the parenting and program management advice Blaze.

Lot of good comments here and I do agree that officials have a hard job. Part of the issue here is that pay has basically been flat for 10+ years or so. The TSSAA says schools can't pay anymore and yet its Executives continue to get healthy raises. I believe all Executives now gross over $100,000 with Childress at $186,000 or a 5% increase over last year. I don't now why its more important to increase executive pay but not officials...money is coming out of the same bucket. The better officials go to college level while the weaker ones stay at high school. TSSAA has basically farmed this out to associations that have little if any control/review processes in place...they just need bodies. The bottom line is that the TSSAA doesn't really make this a priority or you would see this process under their jurisdiction and pay would be more equitable.

This is what happens in a pissing contest when the TSSAA gets involved. How about next time the coaches or administrators work out what are fairly benign misunderstandings in the rules application. This is really senseless as both schools and coaches and certainly students are really better than all this. And the TSSAA handing out justice is about as appropriate having a house mother judge character in a brothel or having to pay for another Maywhether/Paquio fight. Until these clowns give back some of the $3MM they are sitting on and have stolen from member schools, TSSAA I don't give a da*n what you think.

February 27, 2014, Emerald City, TN (AP Wizard of Oz Newswire) Commenting on the controversial call that cost the Cleveland Basketball Raiders its season, the Association responded, “How many times do we have to go over this…we really don’t care about that stuff. Remember last year’s blown call that ended McMinn Central girl’s season, we didn’t care about that either. Remember when we said Cleveland’s football team was in the playoffs last year but really wasn’t, we didn’t care about that either. Or when we said Hall of Fame receipts where to build a building but that we kept instead…getting the picture here. We are in this for the money and that’s why we take (opps..we mean make) and keep lots of it. How many times do we have to go over this"? When asked why they did care about and reverse the ejection of Ensworth’s Ricky Bowers this past year, the Association responded, “Ensworth is not a title one school and has money, and lots of it and we like money. That’s why we have about $3MM of the stuff and don’t even thinking of asking for some of it back. Keep working on those car washes and golf tournaments to meet your budget. Plus Ensworth can afford attorneys and we really don’t respond well when challenged like that. We much prefer the collegial environment of the Kindergarten Control Boardâ€. When asked what advice they could give to the damaged players and coaches the Association offered, “it’s just a game, get over it, but be sure to send in your game receipts and support your local teamsâ€.

I think the TSSAA needs to get more involved. This business of sub contracting out control of games to those that have no accountability and in some cases (not all) lesser brains is not just wrong, its dangerous to the student athletes. But I got $100 that says this would have never been overturned had it been a Memphis Melrose, Whites Creek, or Knox West.

There is something uniquely special about high school football. Young men and coaches that have practiced countless hours and that have committed themselves to the pursuit of excellence and to each other is just endearing, regardless of the team or a final score. There are winners, losers, heroes, and goats and the hats change week to week and the emotional ride and reconciliation compels great learning. For all but the state winners, this ride ends with a loss and the painful last after game huddle and emotions of a season and perhaps career’s end. Coaches put the best spin on the season not just for the players but for themselves because the game too is their passion. Of all the words that may be spoken, none better defines the boys of Fall than courage. Courage to compete, to fight, to risk, to preserve, to succeed, to improve, to win and lastly to loose and all for the public eye to see. Take a bow men and boys of Fall…you’ve earned it. The boys of Fall stand in stark contrast to the men of Hermitage who ironically govern their efforts. On the field of play, responsibility is taken. In offices and meetings, responsibility is deferred. On the field of play, improvement is a goal. In offices and meetings, improvement is not deemed necessary. On the field of play, rules are enforced. In offices and meetings, rules are made up. On the field of play injustice is fought through. In offices and meetings injustice is an abstract. On the field of play, reward is earned. In offices and meetings, reward is taken. On the field of play, risk and injury is assumed. In offices and meetings, responsibility is narrowed. On the field of play, pain is played through. In offices and meeting, comfort is king. On the field of play, young men and coaches care. In offices and meetings, old men don’t. This weekend six teams will be named state champions. But the boys of fall are all champions of the great virtue of courage and their payment is honor for just having been in the game. And if history is any judge, boos will ring out to the TSSAA presenters of the state trophies as an appropriate reminder of how little they know and care to know of the character of the boys of Fall.

Never understood the phase "Is what it is" for it seems self-evident. But what is not self evident is that something is right just because an authority says so. I agree with the 100% and 0% stuff but no way its right that on the one hand a ref sits out a game he could care a less about versus a coach missing out on participating in perhaps a state championship that he or she has prepared for for 8 months. And that all that is OK because of some cooked up policy designed to protect the Association.

And in Knoxville it is the law that you must have a hitching post in front of your building...so much for the wisdom of always following the law or policy. Whose Kharma?

Wow what a mess. I could care a less about BA, Ensworth or Ricky Bowers but how on earth could you conclude that the official wasn't the one instigating things here. Sure looks like Bowers was trying to leave...I thought refs were supposed leave the field or the court as soon as a game was over...sure looks like this ref had an idea of a new sheriff in town. By the way...I generally believe that football is well officiated....basketball another matter altogether. The real problem here is: 1) lack of oversight or control over officials (TSSAA has subbed that out to independent contractors that basically have no control), and 2) the TSSAA desire to protect itself even if its member schools or players safety are compromised. What sort of nonsense yields support of an official that it just suspended because its bylaws...blah blah blah?

This is a late post but: 1) Was surprised Rhea dropped eight even in the second half, 2) Monroe is a great coach but I doubt Crawford really needs his help, 3) Rhea's field is awesome, 4) Rhea's fans and administrators were kind and polite, 5) 5AAA is clearly stronger than 6AAA. 6) Local police should have spend more time helping people get in and out of the game instead of setting speed traps for departing fans.

Oh I suspect that as in the past, both Bradley and Riverdale will play in several mercy rule contests. Riverdale is as good as expected...Bradley is just a good team and program....having won three region titles in as many years. In the past two years, they played sub state and state games without their best or one of their best players. Otherwise, these teams might have played in the past.

Associations that represent other programs (as in Athletic Programs) that scrape by should also scrape by. This business of living like kings while subjects battle for crumbs is Dark Ages type stuff.

Would be funny if it weren't true.