What to do?

[Patsfan2431]

I had an interesting experience yesterday at a sub High School level game and would like to share to get some comments and feedback.

I was doing a game (3-man crew) and i was assigned as the WH. Although the WH assignment was informal, it was clear to me. Get to the game and find out that i was on a crew with a four year man and a rookie (I am in my second year). I was avised when i got there that i should not be WH because i didn't have enough "years" (this was from another 4 year guy that was officiating the game before). As i didn't know any of these guys, i complied. I was the FJ and kept the time.

Let me tell you that i was never embarrassed more in my life than at this game. The WH didn't have a clue how to run the game from the center. Flags would fly (from the other two) and i would have to talk them through what they saw and the enforcement with half of the calls being no foul. I would throw flags and they would be waived off by the WH because he "thought" he saw something different. By the end of the 1st Q, i was literally pushing myself to stay out there. I was pushing not to get on the PA speaker and tell everyone that i was better than this. (of'course i'm not going to put down one of my officials to a non-official)

I literally wanted nothing to do with the game. At one point i was so involved in counting both teams, explaining to both fellow officials and both coaches the fouls and enforcements that i did not accurately keep up with the downs for a half a quarter. And you know Murphy's law, one coach was screaming that we missed a down and gave the opponent a "fifth down" (never amounted to anything). I'm still not sure if we did or didn't. As i accept blame for this, i tried my best to keep up and "control" the game from an official's standpoint, but too much was going on for one guy to do it all.

To make a long story short, we finished up the game (blow out) and i made my way home and phoned the pres. to talk. I can understand the "green" on the new guy, but the four year man, first saying he should WH, and then doing a horrible game, whats that say? To make it even worse, both guys thought the game went "pretty well".

Any comments or feedback as to what i could have done differently? I am only a second year guy, and by no means feel that i am a better official than anyone, but i do know the rules, enforcements, mechanics as i put alot of time in preparing.