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1. If the center is the end man on the line and is wearing an eligible number, yes. 2. The play is dead when the runner's helmet comes off. (Only the runner, though.) 3. Yes. offside

11. Be a role model. Help influence sportsmanship both on the field and in the stands. Understand that the purpse of highschool sports is to contribute to the overall educational curriculum of the student participants and spectators. Do not confuse the role of interscholastic athletics with that of the professional variety. offside

The NCAA changed this rule within the last couple of years to eliminate the loss of down on OPI. The people who write the highschool rules (NFHS Editorial Committee) often adopt the college rules changes if it seems sensible to do so. I presume that they're looking at it, and it is my opinion that it seems to be a sensible change for the highschool game as well. Sometimes it takes a couple of years for the "trickle-down" to happen.

Maybe it is a lame argument, but it was a poster's opinion as to why the rule was changed and was clearly stated as such. I didn't post it, and I personally don't think that's the reason the "fumblerooski" was eliminated. If you want to know why the rule was changed, contact the National Federation of State High School Associations. 317-972-6900. They make the rules, we enforce them as they dictate. It is my opinion that the rule was changed because it was archaic and obscure. The "planned loose ball" play was eliminated from the NFL and NCAA rules years ago, and this change brings the HS code in line with those codes. Like it or not, some things do trickle down. This thread has deteriorated somewhat from its intended purpose. There are many officials who prowl about here who are always willing to offer insight about the rules. But we are not inclined to argue for the sake of it. offside

"...potentially a little off base...may want to seek a state interpretation." I don't care who you are, THAT's FUNNY!

Edit>cut Sorry, decided to retract my comment. Man, I'm gonna miss that fumble-rooskie.

St. Joseph's College, 1984. Purple helmets with maroon facemasks. Maroon Jerseys with purple stripes; purple pants with maroon stripes. Try looking at a film of that without going cross-eyed.

I've actually been to Barrow. Stood polar bear watch, too. Really. (Regretably, it wasn't for a football game). I cannot imagine playing football in that environment. And I was there in August. Also, the fact that this extreme effort and expense is being made to provide some form of opportunity for accomplishment (and mere sense of hope) for the kids who live there should give you some indication of the poverty and despair in that remote corner of America. If ever a football team was needed somewhere, that's the place. Go Whalers. offside

That's crazy. How do you come to your conclusion that officials would, or even COULD make such a decision? Have you ever heard the terms "liability" or "lawsuit"? Could you imagine yourself making such an incredibly bad decision on behalf of somebody else's kid? Why wouldn't you "assume" that the EMTs or team doctor made that decision? And why wouldn't you "assume" that the assessment of the players injury (by qulaified medical professionals--not you or me) simply took longer than what YOU assumed it should take? offside

The refs were not involved in any decision whatsoever about an ambulance in that game or any other. Those decisions are left to qualified medical professionals, the player's parents and his coaching staff. If a team doc mentions the word ambulance, we shut the game down until we're given the all clear. As a matter of fact, NO person affiliated with game management would EVER hinder timely medical attention to a player, student, spectator, coach or official. No matter how long it takes. EVER. Period. Your comments imply conspiratorial negligence, and you are misinformed. Incidentally, it was a legal hit. offside

Rice Mountjoy, head coach from 1946 - 1953.

"Nothing remains of the old stadium but dirt." So, they dug up three blades of grass and knocked down the bleachers. About time. I had lots of great memories of playing at Rice-Mounjoy Stadium. But honestly, it was horrible from day one. The "planners" simply sqeezed it into whatever room they had available and slapped it up. And for a dose of charm, they strung up about 6 miles of chain link in and around it. The structure always had a just-making-do, temporary look to it. Nobody coud EVER get grass to grow there. Back in the day, we spent about an hour before every Thursday practice picking up rocks and glass from the playing field. Lots of it. Certainly, there's some history there (not to mention some personal "glory"). Many memorable football games. Sold-out crowds--loudest in NKY. Kicks going into the drive-thru at KFC. Fans leaning on the fence heckling the refs. I will miss the quirky atmosphere. But I won't miss the dirt. offside

Campbell County. Can't say much about anybody's half-time show, but nobody nails the Star Spangled Banner like the Camels. Impressive. offside

WE protest too much?:lol: Seriously, it is obvious that longer goal posts would make judging kicks easier for everybody. And perfectly marked, million dollar artificial turf fields make judging out-of-bounds a no-brainer. And instant replay, with multiple network camera angles and HD jumbo-trons, makes correcting errors a snap. Oh, and $1000 game checks would help with recruiting and retaining highly-experienced officials who get fired for mistakes. All the above statements are true (especially the one about the game checks ). But Friday night football, no matter how seriously we all take it, is not the same as the "money-ball" played on Saturday and Sunday. Please understand and embrace the differences. offside

The best vantage point for the officials is as HeyRef described: directly under the posts. Judging a kick from behind the kicker creates the same problem as judging it from the stands; distance creates illusions. Longer goal posts would make some of our judgements less contentious, but that's about it. offside

This one is specifically mentioned in the NFHS casebook. Unfair Acts, NFHS Rule 9-9-3...Neither team shall commit any act which, in the opinion of the referee, tends to make a travesty of the game. Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct prior to the snap. Comment: Football has been and always will be a game of deception and trickery involving multiple shifts, unusual formations and creative plays. However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into believing there is a problem and a snap isn't imminent is beyond the scope of sportsmanship and is illegal. offside

Legal. Rule 7-4-2...If a fumble or backward pass is caught or recovered by any player, he may advance. offside

I'm confident that the KHSAA will follow any editorial rules changes not covered under the State Association Adoptions Table listed in Rule 1-7. The complete list of 2006 NFHS Rules Changes can be found here: http://www.nkoafootball.org/ruleschange06.html offside

Not true. NFHS 7-5-13...An ineligible A player has illegally touched a forward pass if he bats, muffs or catches a forward pass while he is in or behind the neutral zone, unless the pass has been touched by B. offside

The fat guys still have a chance to score: "NFHS 7-3-2...No player may hand the ball forward except during a scrimmage down before a change of possession, provided both players are in or behind the neutral zone and it is to: a. A lineman who has clearly faced his goal line by moving both feet in a half-turn and is at least 1 yard behind his line when he receives the ball." Here's the rule that will be eliminated for the 2006 season: "NFHS 7-2-8...Any A player on his line of scrimmage may not advance a planned loose ball in the vicinity of the snapper unless the referee is notified before the snap that the play wil be run during that down." I remember the '88 Orange Bowl "fumble-rooskie"; what a play... offside

I disagree. The difference between the two levels is profound. While a few highschool "skill" players may be competetive, the college linemen (both offensive and defensive) and linebackers would overwhelm the prepsters. In addition to being more mature physically, college players play with a much higher intensity level. Men vs. boys.

If an official has to scratch his alma mater because he thinks he might be tempted to make calls in their favor, he ought to get out of officiating and go back to sitting in the stands. And if an official is concerned with "scrutiny", he's probably already in the wrong business. LSURock and Centuriondawg hit the nail on the head: the alma mater thing was an insignificant footnote to an embarrassing incident. But of course, now it's an issue. I've worked many of my alma mater's games (both home and away). I've also worked many games with former coaches and teammates on either sideline. If my performance was ever less than fair for both teams, these people would NEVER have me back to work for them again. The same can be said about my crewmates and assigner. I couldn't care less what a "fan" might think about my former affiliations; my conduct as an official is always beyond reproach as evidenced by every game tape. (That's not to say that I don't make a bad call occasionally; boo's are okay, accusations are not.) Because "fans" are so wrapped up in a game's outcome (or a particular players performance), I don't think they can fathom the fact that officials do not care who wins or loses. This is why these conspiracy theories are born. I find it especially humorous when I get assigned to a game in a far corner of the state and somebody in the bleachers calls me a "homer" because I made a call that did not benefit his team. So, no, it's not an issue. We have to be bigger than that. offside

After reviewing some of LSURock's many posts to this forum, I see that he is an outspoken proponent of sportsmanship and he rarely (if ever) posts any criticism of an officiating crew's performance. For this, the zebras thank him. However, I don't expect many officials will ever provide much insight to the question "Did the official miss the call?" If you really want a ref to answer, and it's a real question, the answer is no. offside

Sorry it took so long, some of us have to earn a living when the game checks dry up. 1. I don't know the NFL rule. 2. Here's the NCAA rule: 9-2-1...Non-contact Unsportsmanlike Acts include: (f) Removal of a player's helmet beefore his is in the team area (with exceptions, including timeouts; equipment adjustment; through play; between periods; and during a measurement). [specifically spelled out and strictly enforced.] 3. Removal of a player's helmet is not specifically mentioned in the NFHS Rules Book, but in my humble interpretation it is covered under Noncontact Unsportsmanship Conduct by Players, Rule 9-5-1 ©...Any delayed, excessive or prolonged act by which a player attempts to focus attention upon himself. So, because it is not specifically prohibited in highschool, it depends on the Referee's tolerance level of the act as it relates to Rule 9-5-1 © offside

I hope you can pull it off, but, based on my experience in reffing a couple of these fiascos I agree with Sandman. Your league should definitely include a team comprised of firefighters because they usually drive the ambulance. offside