Illegal Use of the Hands

[Suudy]

This seems to come up every year, and it never seems to be resolved. We argue every year on whether this is a foul.

Tight-end A80 is dragging across the field behind the defense as A7 drops back to pass. B51, seeing A80 dragging, hits A80 and knocks him down. After A80 is knocked down, A7 throws an incomplete pass at A80.

The question is the contact by B51 an illegal use of the hands. Rule 9.2.3d says that a "defensive player shall not d. Contact an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker."

I think in this case it is obvious that A80 is on a pass route, and that the contact by B51 is illegal use of the hands. Others argue that if the hit was legal (i.e. in the front and not flagrant or punishing), then it is not a foul.

How do you interpret the "no longer a potential blocker" phrase?

Note: NFHS rule listed (9.2.3)