Sliding Tackle

[Ed Hickland]

Had this in a JV game last week.

Runner with a clear path for the end zone. Defender unable to catch up to the runner does a soccer style sliding tackle and takes the runner down.

Coach does crazy yelling "you can't trip, that illegal."

Told the coach you can trip the runner.

Another official thought it was dangerous and illegal (kept him away from the coach).

Rule says you can trip the runner but can that trip be a sliding tackle?