Red Zone

Not knowing much about Wbg except for what they lost, I don't know that they'll go .500. Whitley should be strong and Corbin isn't going to lay down with what they have. I think both will hit or surpass the .500 mark.

Bottom line is that the A.S. duty is to put the best official on the game, not to please everyone. He has to take into consideration any conflicts such as those that have been mentioned. However, if official Baker is the number one rated official in the region and needs to be on a particular game, the A.S. shouldn't put in a lower rated official (Ralph) to please some paranoid fan. If he does and Ralph blows several calls, then everyone is on the A.S. for assigning a low rated official. As for post season scratches, I don't know that they do apply. I think that most A.S.'s will try to honor them or work around situations but using scratches in post season could hurt an officials ability to move on even if he is the 1 or 2 rated official. Some coaches simply scratch officials because they have personal conflict with them. It may have nothing to do with the officials ability. I've seen coaches use scratches to gain an advantage. They may want a lower rated official that they can work rather than the highest rated official that blocks him out.

You know, this won't work either. Many officials, including myself, realize the mentality of some ( :cry: ) people thinking that officials don't need to be on their schools games so many work a neighboring region's association. So if I went to school in the 13 and have many ties to several of the 13th's school, I'll work the 12. Now when the 13th switches with the 12, I'm right back working 13 games. 99.9999999% of the time, officials don't have a problem working their old schools when they have to. I've had my old school in district and regional games and nobody would ever know I went to school there. Although most do and they don't mind having me on the game because they know when I'm there, both teams are at a disadvantage.

Why question the A.S.? He probably knows more than anyone who needs to be on that game. I know people that would rather have an official on the game that graduated from their opponent than anyone else because they know they'll get their best effort and will be as fair as anyone. The situation you refer to probably could have been avoided but a person should not be punished or kept out of games just because of where he lives, graduated, children attends, etc.