This week was game number seven for me and week 10 for the season. Next week is the last regular season game. As cliche as it sounds, the season has really flown by.
Yet another lopsided games ending 58-14. The score is deceiving because the halftime score was 51-0. The victors, who are undefeated in conference, could realistically score at will. The defeated team, who was winless in conference, was lucky to make a first down. They were also winless on the season. In fact, this was the team's 45 straight loss.
The White Hat for this game is the veteran assigned as my college mentor. He is also a White Hat in the HS association I work for. He has a laid back, low-key, let's-just-get-the-game-over-with demeanor.
We had another 'observer' at this game. Before the game began he introduced himself, but not as our observer, and ask me if there was any equipment problems. I thought he was the AD for the school and simply stated I saw a few adornments but nothing critical. Then I looked at the tag he had around his neck and realized he was the observer. I have no idea if I stuck my foot into my mouth or not.
On the first play of the game, I threw a flag for twelve on the field. There were only eleven. I killed the play right at the snap and then when I placed the ball back on the ground I placed it a yard ahead of the LOS. The Lineman stopped the play and I had to reset the ball. I'm sure that really looked good to the observer.
I had a player complain to me several times that the opponent was head-slapping. I must admit I wasn't watching for this. I caught a glimpse of him with his hand the the face mask, but it was only for a brief moment. Nothing flag worthy.
Another player asked me to watch the high-low blocks (i.e., chop block). In fact, the Lineman came in and told me the coach in the press box was concerned about the high-lows. I watched. I saw them. And they were legal. The key issue is delay. If the high-low occur simultaneous by adjacent linemen then this is legal. All of these block I observed were simultaneous.
I did throw a flag on a Try when a defender jumped over leaped over the LOS and landed on top of a an opponent.
I did not throw a flag when a player took his helmet off while on the playing field and threw it to the ground following a touchdown. Technically, this is a Unsportmanslike foul. But at this time the score was 51-0. There were no opponents around him and he was near the number next to his sideline. Yes, a foul, and I could be convinced I should have penalized him, but in a way no one was harmed by this act of frustration.
I did stop the White Hat from calling a Block in the Back during a scrimmage kick return. I saw the contact and it was not a BITB. He agreed with me but because the guilty player went after the victim we decided to go with a Person Foul for unnecessary contact away from the play.
Overall, this was a hard game to work. It was hot and we spent more time focusing on dead ball officiating than live ball officiating. I always find these games mentally challenging. And then we had a 2.5 hour drive home. I was drained and went straight to bed when I got home.
Next week is last game. Then I guess I'll find out if I good enough to become a staff member officially become a NCAA Football Official.
