And generally speaking here from the Great Google Machine:

First, the current rule on illegal blindside blocks as written in Rule 12-2-7: It is a foul if a player initiates a block when his path is toward or parallel to his own end line and makes forcible contact to his opponent with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder.Dec 5, 2020

I just watched this over and over.  Play on kickoff is exactly why the rules have been changed over the years.  Launch without question and in my opinion in the back.  
Second play is questionable as well on a crack back block which has also been relived from the game.  No flexing and I repeat no flexing.  Hit was with forearms mainly and force of block carried him over defender.  Looked like he was not trying to fall directly on him after knocking him down.  Second hit was not nearly as violent as first.  Kid in first hit also knew it was questionable as he immediately threw his hands up like most due when they know it is a borderline hit.

30 minutes ago, 1959 said:

The first was a helmet to helmet launch. The second was by a kid a foot taller than the defender and he hit him with his chest. It looked more like a screen in basketball. They are not the same play. If you want to call them both illegal blindside blocks, okay.  

 

50 minutes ago, NKYRaider said:

https://www.hudl.com/v/2JaF6h

OK, hate going down these rabbit holes, but here are 2 plays from the same game. First is the "dirty" play from the Ryle player who was flagged, ejected, and cannot play next week. 

The second is a block from a Highlands player (who appears to be the same player who was injured) making a blindside block and flexing over top of a Ryle player. 

If one is dirty and worthy of all of this criticism, then the other is too. 

 

 

31 minutes ago, NKYRaider said:

OK, but is the Highlands play a blindside block? Did he or did he not posture over the player afterwards? Both are penalties, are they not? Is that a dirty play?  

Ok just now catching up with this thread. Both blocks were illegal blocks, and both blocks were by both teams biggest and most physical players. Which is going to make a blindside block even bigger. Both guys had intent to make that big de cleating hit that people always see highlights of. However,  Both hits are also hits that you see happen in most games especially freshman games unfortunately. Which usually is just a flag, and Not an ejection, which I don’t think that should have been an ejection either.
 

Freshman players are trying to be physical, but at same time learning how to be physical within the rules. Which the blind side block/block in the back from the side is a similar type hit you still see flagged in college and NFL games  all the time because it is difficult even for pros to always get the timing right and make sure your head is across and not make head contact while at the same time trying to give a big hit to free your runner. 
 

Both hits are literally almost identical, I’m not sure how 1959 can say they are not the same. Both came in from the side and launched up from blind sides to try to get that big de cleating block. Which you can even see how proud the Highlands player was of his hit by how he stood over the Ryle player and looked down at him. So you can’t be willing to say one play was dirty and the other one was not. If you think one was dirty, then the other one was too. You can’t pick and choose in this case. IMO it was two big blocks, by both teams biggest and most physical players, who were both looking for that big hit, and both didn’t get it done within the playing rules. Which you see happen in freshman games as players are learning. Both deserved flags, But I don’t think the Ryle player deserved an ejection. If he deserved an ejection, then the Highlands player should have been ejected too. Which IMO neither would have warranted an ejection. 

Just now, Breds82 said:

These hits have been illegal since 2018. I don't know how to get links on here but I googled NFHS blindside blocks and it explains why both are illegal. 

I agree that both were illegal hits and a flag should have been thrown. You can make an argument the Highlands block warranted 2 penalties, one for the block and one for standing over him. 

It seems to me the intent here is to deflect the results of the game onto something else. The "we lost" playbook seems to be in full affect: 

"Dirty players with poor sportsmanship. We played terrible and are regressing. It's only Freshman football. Our varsity won. We won championships years ago and you haven't."

Highlands fans should just tip their cap and move on. 

5 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

Neither defender saw the block coming, neither blocker led with open hands and both were with force.

I know you are helping out and quoting the rules but leading with open hands is a good way to break your hands and force, force isn't allowed!!??

2 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Both hits are also hits that you see happen in most games especially freshman games unfortunately. Which usually is just a flag, and Not an ejection, which I don’t think that should have been an ejection either.

But I don’t think the Ryle player deserved an ejection. If he deserved an ejection, then the Highlands player should have been ejected too. Which IMO neither would have warranted an ejection. 

This, they both may be penalties by rule but no way should either player have been ejected, that is silly. 

I am happy to commend Ryle on their win, they were by far the superior team. No excuses to be made from Highlands. I think you would have had more of that type of discussion on here had it not been for how the game ended. If folks don’t know, the Highlands player was motionless for maybe 15 minutes, the game was called, he was removed from the field on a gurney and left the stadium in an ambulance. 
 

To your point about the game itself, Highlands looked uninspired, sloppy, and the players never appeared to be on the same page. 
 

Ryle was the complete opposite and it showed. Congrats. 

I'm just trying to put the rules out there. The rules don't seem to care about what happens to your hands on the block, just says lead with open hands. Both are illegal blocks and I'm assuming there would be less force with hands used instead of a shoulder or chest.

Anyone got the stats of the game? 

That debate should get me through the rest of my workday.

 

 

15 minutes ago, JuggsFan82 said:

Anyone got the stats of the game? 

That debate should get me through the rest of my workday.

 

 

@Ruffy38

30 minutes ago, BrosefStalin said:

@Ruffy38

It's on YouTube? I'll be back. ?

Just watched the hit looked like a cheap shot.

5 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Just watched the hit looked like a cheap shot.

It was a cheap shot that’s why it was a penalty.

23 minutes ago, Breds82 said:

It was a cheap shot that’s why it was a penalty.

Just watched the game again. It's like a good pot of chili...even better the next day!

Ryle had the running clock going with 4:57 left in the 3rd quarter w/ 8 minute quarters. That's what we should be discussing. 

I charted the stats, but I'll keep them to myself. I don't want see anymore heads exploding on here. Let's just say, Verax proved once again he's on a different level. Ant Coppola is becoming one of the best WR's around. Ryle's D was nasty last night! As big as Highlands o-line is, they had no answer for Ryle's pressure. 

Great job all around, players and coaches! Looking forward to the CovCath game next week.