The good guys...

[grantsrc]

My Dad told me about this. I would hate to be the AD! And yes, their mascot is "Spuds."

From Minneapolis Star Tribune
Officials on OT save game
September 11, 2005 LATE0911


When the Friday night lights became Saturday morning lights, it was clear that the Moorhead-Armstrong game was something different. And thanks to a hard-working crew of officials, a police escort and patient players, coaches and fans, Friday's high school football game at Armstrong became something memorable.
Because of a scheduling mixup, no officials were on hand when the Spuds -- who drove four hours to the game in the Twin Cities -- and Falcons were ready for the scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff. But quick thinking by Armstrong activities director Patti Weldon, as well as officials willing to work two games in one night, saved the day.
Weldon phoned Wayzata activities director Jaime Sherwood, whose team was playing at home against Cretin-Derham Hall. During a timeout, Sherwood asked the officials if they were willing to work the Moorhead-Armstrong game, too. The five-man crew, headed by referee Mike Karnas of Richfield, immediately said yes.
So when Wayzata's 37-19 victory ended, Karnas and his crew -- umpire Tyler Vrieze, linesman Steve Ryan, line judge Matt Karnas and field judge Matt Brown, who are each paid $72 per game -- got in their vehicles and followed a Plymouth police car for the quick 6-mile drive to Armstrong.
The game began at 9:58 p.m.-- with the crowd cheering for the officials as they came on the field -- and ended at 12:21 a.m. Moorhead won 22-14.
Mike Karnas, who is in his 29th year as a football official, said: "I understand these things can happen. It's unfortunate, but we're glad to step in. Why not? It's for the kids."
During the three-hour delay, the Spuds sat in their air-conditioned charter buses, had a bite to eat and tried to relax.
"What do you do?" Moorhead coach Rick Eidsness said. "We weren't going to drive back here and we can't stay over. Budgetwise, we had no choice."
The Armstrong marching band turned its halftime show into a pregame show, and since it was Youth Night, young football players held minigames on the field during the wait. Fans who left were given tickets that allowed them to return later in the evening or come back for another game.
"We were really in game mode, and it was hard to keep focused," Moorhead quarterback Nick Stoltman said. "It was a switch of emotions, having to wait a couple of hours."
Armstrong officials ordered 20 pizzas and 100 bottles of water for the Spuds after the game. By the time the players had eaten, showered and boarded the buses, it was nearly 1 a.m.
"We'll be home in time for breakfast," Stoltman said with a grin.
by John Millea

[ChrisSportsFan]

Looks like they made the best of a tough situation. I hope everyone was understanding and didn't give those officials a bunch of crap if they didn't agree with a call. I also hope they are recognized within their organization for saving the day.

Similar thing happened in Iowa a couple of years ago. I can't remember the towns involved, but very similar story.

[James Neil]

$72.00 a game! Lucky stiffs