Here's a rules question and maybe Coach J can let us in on what the refs told him since the call went against Ballard.

 

Ballard punts and the Male kid fumbles the punt. Nobody touched the Male kid but the ball his him in chest and onto the ground.

 

Ballard recovers the ball deep and would have been a huge game-changer. But a late flag comes in from the guy on the Male sideline for "interference" on Ballard.

 

OK, I know judgement and maybe was too close. But Male declines the penalty and takes the ball there.

 

My question is - Male didn't have the ball because Ballard recovered the fumble. If they declined isn't it Ballard ball?

 

Was a strange call.

If they would have accepted the penalty, Ballard would have punted again. Since they declined it, they get the ball there. (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Not if Ballard recovered the ball. That said, they should have accepted the penalty, gotten the fifteen yards, and then Male still would have the ball at said spot on the field. There would be no re-kick.

For Kick Catch Interference, here are the options. First - they can take the result of the play. (Don't think they will do that since they didn't possess the ball. Or the can accept the penalty. If they accept the penalty, you go 15 yards from the previous spot, and re-kick the ball. Third - Or than can accept the ball at the spot of where the kick catch interference occurred.

You are 100% correct.

Thanks Big East.

 

So maybe Coach J can help because they did take the result of the play and despite the officials saying Ballard ball on the fumble (before the penalty called) Male still got the ball. I thought that was the case just not sure why they declined penalty and got the ball when they never had the ball.

 

Whew