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Almost Convinced ...
NFHS Rule 3-1-1 Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain. NOTE: A team must begin the game with five players, but if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified or injured players, it must continue with fewer than five. When there is only one player participating for a team, the team shall forfeit the game, unless the referee believes that team has an opportunity to win the game.
NFHS Rule 3-3-4: A player who has been replaced, or directed to leave the game for injury or for illegal equipment or apparel, etc., shall not re-enter before the next opportunity to substitute after the clock has been started properly following his/her replacement.
If there are players who either are not disqualified or injured on the bench, a team must play five players. This means, in other words, that Rule 3-1-1 "trumps" Rule 3-3-4. This statement, or one similar to it, seems to be supported by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr., Camron Rust, and Jurassic Referee, three highly regarded members of this Forum. Any dissenters? I really want to be convinced that this would be fully supported by NFHS rules, case book situations, and/or, interpretations. I'm almost convinced.
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