[JRutledge]

What I have found is that much of the differences between city and suburban schools are a myth. I have worked a lot of city games and they cry the most when they get just a little contact. I have worked suburban teams and they complain heavily when we do not let them play more. The bottom line is you are not going to make everyone happy. I tend to piss off both areas because I call the game and make the players adjust. So if I call a hand check early, I will keep calling hand checking the rest of the game when it is appropriate. You will never make everyone happy. One of the problems I think city schools have is unfortunately they do not see a lot of the playoff officials. Chicago has 70+ schools in the Public School districts and they play there games at 3:30 in the afternoon. Unfortunately, there are a lot of games not refereed by officials that work deep in the playoffs. Not to say that some officials are not working those games, but many newer, less experienced officials are working games in the city. So when the playoffs come, many of the city schools have to now adjust to a style of officiating they have not seen most of the year.

Just my two cents.

Peace