Bobref

Merrillville 10 LaPorte 0 1:11 of the 1st.

Merrillville 7 LaPorte 0 9:43 of the 1st.

I’m unaware of such a rule. But it’s something that’s decided above the officials’ pay grade. So, there’s no particular reason I would know whether such a rule existed.

The snapper is afforded protection from immediate forceful contact only when the offense is in “scrimmage kick formation.” The formation you described does not qualify and, therefore, affords the snapper no protection. Here’s the rulebook definition of SKF: ART. 2 . . . A scrimmage kick formation is one in which no player is in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap from between the snapper's legs, and at the snap, either: a.A player is in position with a knee on the ground 7 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage, in position to be the holder and receive the long snap and with another player 3 yards or less behind that player in position to attempt a place kick; or b.A player is 10 yards or more behind the line of scrimmage and in position to receive the long snap.

You can see Caleb Williams developing right in front of you. That throw on the flea flicker was insane. But the important thing is Johnson is now trusting him with plays like that. That tells me a lot about what Johnson thinks of him, and I trust his opinion.

I take no pleasure in being right.

Looks like an early night in Mishawaka. Penn up on Marian 21-0 with 3:34 remaining in the 1st. Penn has run 6 offensive plays and scored 3 TDs.

I’m tempted to post the Jim Mora video. “Playoffs?” Let’s win a game first.

I would immediately triple the game fees for all athletic officials at the high school level and below. And I’d give the IHSAA enough money to hire a new assistant commissioner whose only job was to oversee officiating, and give him or her enough of a budget to do the job right.

The U is not primary on such passes, but simply provides additional help on a trap vs. catch play over the middle, since the back judge is often looking through the receiver’s back. He can’t do that from the offensive backfield. And the U should never be calling pass interference, since he doesn’t turn until the ball is passing him.

Done.

Hey, I’m old … but not that old. I do remember working 4 man crews when I started out. I became a Referee and crew chief in 1984, and we were working 5 then.

I agree with everything you’ve said. Not only that, but adding two officials at the Regional level and beyond would give 48 more officials the opportunity to work deeper into the playoffs. Frustration with the tournament advancement process is a significant contributor to the decline in the number of football officials. It could be a part of a retention strategy. The IHSAA has always taken the position that adding officials to work unfamiliar positions with unfamiliar crew mates, and the changes in crew mechanics that would be necessary outweighs any advantage in better coverage.

Moving the U to the offensive backfield sacrifices certain coverages which a 6, 7, or 8 man crew can make up for much more easily than a 5 man crew.

And that’s why they can afford to move one to the offensive backfield. We use 5.

The Social Contract is the basis upon which organized societies exist. Without it, civilization would not have progressed beyond tribal villages.

How about things like drinking water standards and building codes? Also unwarranted invasions of one’s personal freedoms? Ever heard of “The Social Contract?”

Yes. There are always trade-offs for living in an organized society. Do you think Highway speed limits are an unwarranted intrusion on one’s individual freedoms?

I usually try to stay out of political topics, since 1) There’s no way to resolve them in an online “debate,” and 2) it’s depressing. But the current “debate” in this country over childhood vaccinations, after years when this appeared to be a settled issue, really ticks me off. The idea of grown men risking the lives of defenseless children simply to make political capital is sickening. The dismantling of the CDC, the replacement of actual scientists with political hacks, and the idiotic fearmongering about autism or other issues concerning vaccines has made the US a laughingstock in the international scientific community. But far worse than that is the public health danger posed by the declining vaccination rates that have already led to outbreaks of measles in several places — resulting in hospitalizations and several deaths. So, let’s have a civil conversation about the Administration’s anti-vaccination policies, which it justifies in the name of “individual freedom.”

My favorite was “Three Days of the Condor.”

Fair.

They have been a thorn in our side for years. Getting that game in the rear view mirror will be a relief. It’s a classic trap game. If they win Friday, they should go into the last 2 weeks of the season undefeated. Then they finish up with Moeller and Hoban.

Eagles climbing steadily. Huge test this week vs. Massillon.

And the electoral process is rigged to make that very unlikely.

And Va. Tech fired their coach this morning.