For all you rule guys. I went to middle school game last night and they called defensive holding on 4th down in the end zone and gave the offensive team 5 yards and replayed 4th down. Should this have also come with a automatic 1st down?

The only automatic first downs in the NFHS rule books are for roughing the passer, kicker/punter/holder, and snapper. The officials were correct in giving the offense 5 yards and replaying fourth down. Most football fans are used to hearing automatic first down from watching the NFL games on Sunday and thus they think any 15-yard penalty or defensive holding results in one.

Similar situation in Murray/Caldwell.  Had Defensive holding against Murray in the endzone. The play ended up in a touchdown for Caldwell. The refs added 10 yards to the kickoff for Caldwell as they kicked from the 50.  Is that right??

I thought you had to decline the penalty for the TD to stand.  

1 hour ago, Mo Bourbon said:

The only automatic first downs in the NFHS rule books are for roughing the passer, kicker/punter/holder, and snapper. The officials were correct in giving the offense 5 yards and replaying fourth down. Most football fans are used to hearing automatic first down from watching the NFL games on Sunday and thus they think any 15-yard penalty or defensive holding results in one.

Very accurate description of the rules right here. I agree most fans watch too much NFL including myself. 

From a statistician standpoint, high school, college and NFL rules are WAY different.

30 minutes ago, nkypete said:

From a statistician standpoint, high school, college and NFL rules are WAY different.

I get why they are different but it would make things much easier for the fans/viewers if they were the same.

1 hour ago, FB Head said:

Similar situation in Murray/Caldwell.  Had Defensive holding against Murray in the endzone. The play ended up in a touchdown for Caldwell. The refs added 10 yards to the kickoff for Caldwell as they kicked from the 50.  Is that right??

I thought you had to decline the penalty for the TD to stand.  

Live-ball fouls by the opponents of the scoring team on plays where a touchdown or field goal is scored may be carried over either to the succeeding sport or the succeeding kickoff. 

1 minute ago, Mo Bourbon said:

Live-ball fouls by the opponents of the scoring team on plays where a touchdown or field goal is scored may be carried over either to the succeeding sport or the succeeding kickoff. 

I thought it was only dead ball fouls. If a team commits a DPI I don't think it shouldn't be accessed on the following KO too. 

7 hours ago, FB Head said:

Similar situation in Murray/Caldwell.  Had Defensive holding against Murray in the endzone. The play ended up in a touchdown for Caldwell. The refs added 10 yards to the kickoff for Caldwell as they kicked from the 50.  Is that right??

I thought you had to decline the penalty for the TD to stand.  

In HS football you never have to decline a penalty to keep a score.