End of Game Safety

[STEVED21]

Has anyone seen the play at the end of a high school championship game? Score was 19-14 A leading seconds to play. The QB took the snap and ran backwards from his 40 to his endzone, dropped the ball after he crossed the goal line and started celebrating thinking a safety was scored and the game over. However, B picks up the ball in the endzone. The officials conference, rule TD for B, game over, 20-19. I saw it on both the NY & LA NBC stations. I don't recall where this happend. Funny things happen at the end of games.

[KWH]

Originally posted by STEVED21
Has anyone seen the play at the end of a high school championship game? Score was 19-14 A leading seconds to play. The QB took the snap and ran backwards from his 40 to his endzone, dropped the ball after he crossed the goal line and started celebrating thinking a safety was scored and the game over. However, B picks up the ball in the endzone. The officials conference, rule TD for B, game over, 20-19. I saw it on both the NY & LA NBC stations. I don't recall where this happend. Funny things happen at the end of games.

I heard it on the radio live while an officiating friend of mine witnessed it live from the end zone. In the Tacoma Dome (Tacoma, WA) Lynden Christian vs Elma, 2A Semi-Final. It happened pretty much just as you stated except the covering official (White Hat) incorrectly signaled a Safety as soon as B (Elma) picked the ball up in the end zone. However, after a breif conference with the crew the correct ruling was issued(recovered fumble in endzone) the White Hat signaled touchdown, and the game was over. Final Elma 20, Lynden Christian 19.
I wonder what they will be talking about at the class of 2003's 30 year reunion in 2033?

Interesting note:
The horn sounded at or near the time the kid crossed the goal line. While we all know that by rule the horn has no bearing on the play it may or may not have added to the confusion from the A player and fans standpoint. I say this only because for safety reasons, I am a strong advocate of removing the horns from all ball parks.

[phillycheese]

I saw the replays on local t.v. I live in WA. One of our association refs was working that game(not the white-hat). I haven't had a chance to call him yet. A questionable move for sure. The ball was at the 49 with six seconds to go. The only reason I can think that the QB didn't simply take a knee was it may have been fourth down. Still, you don't need to go 49 yards to kill 6 seconds. That game created a buzz, thats for sure. I've got to call Mick and get all the details.

[bluezebra]

Since many, if not most, coaches have a pathetic lack of rules knowledge, it's understandable that the player didn't understand what he was doing. They're not taught.

Horns, whistles, guns, etc. should not sound until the play is over.

Again, coaches should teach their players that a whistle ends the play, not the horn, etc.

Bob

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by bluezebra
Since many, if not most, coaches have a pathetic lack of rules knowledge, it's understandable that the player didn't understand what he was doing. They're not taught.

Horns, whistles, guns, etc. should not sound until the play is over.

Again, coaches should teach their players that a whistle ends the play, not the horn, etc.

Bob

I found two stories about this play. The losing coach admitted he should have told his player to run out of the end zone.

But that winning player was sharp to jump on the ball.

It was also reported the referee gave the safety signal before the player dropped the ball.

[KWH]

Originally posted by Ed Hickland

It was also reported the referee gave the safety signal before the player dropped the ball. [/B]

...If that is the case then I hope he didn't also blow his whistle...

[Theisey]

Originally posted by KWH
...If that is the case then I hope he didn't also blow his whistle... [/B]

In another forum, a person at the game said thw whistle was sounded prior to the team-B player possessing the ball.

That sort of puts a whole different wrinkle on what the actual outcome was.
A play like this illustrates that you as an official have to on your toes from the opening kickoff to the end of the final play. Expect the unexpected at all times.