OT: 5th down lives...

[JackBolly]

...HS playoff decided on a 5th down FG:

https://www.14news.com/2025/11/03/fairf ... tball-gam/

[Bob39]

It looks like the confusion takes place because the QB tries to spike it on the original third down but the whole play looks awkward. He receives the snap with his knee seemingly on the ground. He then kind of gets up and spikes it, but the referee winds the clock (I would think correctly, but I don't know. Spikes already involve a suspension of normal rules) . The down marker does not recognize that a play had taken place and it still said third down on the spike. I can't blame the blue team for spiking it when the marker still said 3rd down (just like the Mizzou game).

Two things. Number one, this stinks but it is a missed call, just like a blatantly missed holding or out of bounds play. Some might argue that this is much worse, but I would say it's a difference in degree, not a difference in kind. Losing track of downs in that scramble is a human error, just like not processing when a foot was out of bounds.

Number two: I have worked as a clock operator and scorebook keeper at high school games for years. So many times, the person helping out knows something is off but they don't say anything because they assume the mistake in on their end and they don't want to interrupt the game. I always tell new people, if something does not line up say something immediately. It can often be fixed in the moment but not if you wait.

Last point: In my work keeping score I get to know a lot of officials, at least casually. There are the best people you could want to meet. They love the game and they care deeply about getting it right. They are human, but so are the rest of us.

[JackBolly]

It looks like the confusion takes place because the QB tries to spike it on the original third down but the whole play looks awkward. He receives the snap with his knee seemingly on the ground. He then kind of gets up and spikes it, but the referee winds the clock (I would think correctly, but I don't know. Spikes already involve a suspension of normal rules) . The down marker does not recognize that a play had taken place and it still said third down on the spike. I can't blame the blue team for spiking it when the marker still said 3rd down (just like the Mizzou game).

Two things. Number one, this stinks but it is a missed call, just like a blatantly missed holding or out of bounds play. Some might argue that this is much worse, but I would say it's a difference in degree, not a difference in kind. Losing track of downs in that scramble is a human error, just like not processing when a foot was out of bounds.

Number two: I have worked as a clock operator and scorebook keeper at high school games for years. So many times, the person helping out knows something is off but they don't say anything because they assume the mistake in on their end and they don't want to interrupt the game. I always tell new people, if something does not line up say something immediately. It can often be fixed in the moment but not if you wait.

Last point: In my work keeping score I get to know a lot of officials, at least casually. There are the best people you could want to meet. They love the game and they care deeply about getting it right. They are human, but so are the rest of us.

Bottom line, armed with clear video evidence the IHSA chose to hide behind a rule book rather that doing the right thing and correcting an obvious wrong. Pretty shameful Feel bad for the kids that got knocked out of the playoffs over an obvious bogus call - who knows if they will ever get another shot.

[winonsports]

It looks like the confusion takes place because the QB tries to spike it on the original third down but the whole play looks awkward. He receives the snap with his knee seemingly on the ground. He then kind of gets up and spikes it, but the referee winds the clock (I would think correctly, but I don't know. Spikes already involve a suspension of normal rules) . The down marker does not recognize that a play had taken place and it still said third down on the spike. I can't blame the blue team for spiking it when the marker still said 3rd down (just like the Mizzou game).

Two things. Number one, this stinks but it is a missed call, just like a blatantly missed holding or out of bounds play. Some might argue that this is much worse, but I would say it's a difference in degree, not a difference in kind. Losing track of downs in that scramble is a human error, just like not processing when a foot was out of bounds.

Number two: I have worked as a clock operator and scorebook keeper at high school games for years. So many times, the person helping out knows something is off but they don't say anything because they assume the mistake in on their end and they don't want to interrupt the game. I always tell new people, if something does not line up say something immediately. It can often be fixed in the moment but not if you wait.

Last point: In my work keeping score I get to know a lot of officials, at least casually. There are the best people you could want to meet. They love the game and they care deeply about getting it right. They are human, but so are the rest of us.

Bottom line, armed with clear video evidence the IHSA chose to hide behind a rule book rather that doing the right thing and correcting an obvious wrong. Pretty shameful Feel bad for the kids that got knocked out of the playoffs over an obvious bogus call - who knows if they will ever get another shot.

They aren't HIDING behind their rules.

The rules were created and approved by the members of the association to deal with situations like this.