Bobref

I said “more likely” rather than “certainly,” which of course leaves open the possibility of crew error. I was speaking from my own experience as to which explanation had the higher probability. I’ll stand by that.

That would be terrific. Although I don’t suppose you can hear a whistle in the video.

Hearing a number of reports of how the Mercy Rule May have been incorrectly administered as far as timing goes. We did use the rule in the game I saw Friday night. The crew did a great job with it ... except for one thing. The R did not include mercy rule timing procedures in his pregame discussion with the clock operator. Every school in the state got a sheet of timing instructions from the IHSAA to provide to the clock operators. But you can’t depend on that. Because, judging from my game experience, the clock operator either never saw it, or didn’t understand it.

Love to hear some specifics on this one.

Care to elaborate with some specifics?

One positive aspect of the mercy rule — at least, from my viewpoint — we won’t have the endless debates on the GID about whether someone ran up the score on someone else.

More likely, an error by the clock operator. Here are proper clock mechanics for the mercy rule: If at the halftime break, or anytime following, the score differential is 35 or more, the game clock will run continually, stopping only for scores, time outs, or injuries. The only person to stop the clock during application of the mercy rule is the Referee (White Hat). Following a touchdown, the clock will run through the PAT. Following the PAT, the Referee will stop the game clock. The continuous clock will resume at the ensuing kickoff with the kick. Normally, on a free kick, the game clock does not start until the kick is touched by the receivers. While the Mercy Rule is in effect, however, on a free kick the game clock will start as soon as the ball is kicked. Following a successful Field Goal attempt, the Referee will stop the game clock. The continuous game clock will resume at the ensuing kickoff and the game clock will continue to run. Following a safety, the Referee will stop the game clock. The continuous game clock will resume at the ensuing kickoff and the clock will continue to run.

And good luck to the third team on the field!

Yes, I had a very good view of the back of Desmond Tardy’s uniform as it was disappearing in the distance ... repeatedly.

I also think the Cowboys extending Jaylon was a shot across Zeke’s bow.

As it turned out, he was fortunate that he was drafted in the second round, rather than the first. So, the Cowboys only had control of him for 4 years instead of 5. And they’re saving the franchise tag for Zeke.

With all the talk about contract extensions swirling around the Dallas Cowboys, I find it interesting that the first contract they extend is that of Indiana’s own Jaylon Smith. He’s played every game in the last two seasons after sitting out his rookie year with the horrific injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl. I watched him several times last season, and I think this kid is going to be a superstar in the league for years to come. The Cowboys apparently think so, too. He’s now under contract for the next 5 years. It’s a five-year extension worth $64 million ($35.5 million guaranteed). The extension makes Smith the third-highest paid inside linebacker in the league, after the Seattle Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner and New York Jets’ C.J. Mosley. Just a great kid all the way around, and I think he’s going to have a breakout season coming up. Perhaps some new uniforms or something coming up for Luers? https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/cowboys/2019/08/20/jaylon-smith-contract-dallas-cowboys-extension-dak-prescott-ezekiel-elliott/2064890001/

Well, the goal of the scrimmages is to help round into mid-season form quickly. Coaches, too. 😅😂🤣

😄😀🤪😜 ummm. No.

Except when the coach asks for a measurement, and you’d really like to give it to him for public relations reasons. But then you have to explain to him that a measurement wouldn’t do any good, because you don’t have a shadow line on which to put the clip. That’s especially pleasant when it’s the visiting coach who thinks he has a first down, and you don’t think so.

For scrimmages, in my experience the coaches are on the field, behind their respective units, more often than not.

You can’t beat the Redding Study Guide for rules. As far as mechanics, the Referee Training Center has lots of great materials, the best of which, IMO, is Best Practices Of Officiating for High School Football DVD by Bill Lemmonier. Go to https://store.referee.com/football. Your NASO membership gets you a 20% discount.

Is it time for the IHSAA to take over, and centralize, the game assigning process? Something I’m sure the IHSAA wants no part of.

This was the consensus reached in the state observers meeting last Saturday, and ordered implemented by Asst. Commissioner Robert Faulkens, who presided over the meeting.

Got a very interesting e-mail this morning. If you’re an IFOA member, and subscribe to their “officials needed” distribution list, when ADs or assignors contact the IFOA looking for officials, an e-mail blast goes out. On this morning’s list was the following: “9/13 Tipton @ Cass - will pay travel - 700pm EDT” (emphasis in original) This is the first such announcement I’ve ever seen that makes any mention whatsoever of compensation as an inducement to the officials. And the IFOA has offered this service for many years. As a consequence of the current shortage of officials, which is only going to get worse in the next several years, is this going to become more common? Is the day coming when schools will be soliciting officials, using game fees, travel pay, and amenities as inducements, and actually competing against one another for officials? Will we see a time when the best crews will be able to charge their price, rather than have the schools set game fees? Right now there is a dispute going on between local officials and the schools over game fees in Florida. The officials have refused to work without a pay raise. As a result, the state association has stripped those officials of their eligibility to work any games in the state. The pre-season scrimmages which would be happening now have been canceled. It’s an ugly situation. Is it a harbinger of things to come?

I did some fancy steppin’ trying to avoid that ball and keep from bursting out laughing at the same time.

Many years ago in a JV game, the QB came out for the last series and told me was taking a knee. I told him “be sure and immediately turn and flip me the ball.” You guessed it. He forgot to take a knee and just flipped me the ball.

The only numbers that cause the wearer to be ineligible no matter where he lines up are 50-79.