I worked my first high school game of the season this weekend and it was a classic contest. The home team was down by seven with six seconds remaining on the clock. It was 4th down and no time outs remained. The line of scrimmage was the 17 yard line and while the QB was under pressure, tosses the ball to his teammate at the five who tips the ball once, twice, three times, falling into the end zone... empty handed.
The game became ugly in the 3rd quarter when we had to eject two players for fighting. The visiting team complained about everything and had the 'poor me' attitude going full force. Some teams are just cry babies. Otherwise, a good contest to shake off the rust.
A few new high school rules of interest. The most important, yet controversial, is the concussion rule. 3-5-10 reads, "any player who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional." In California, where I officiate, the ruling is even more severe. If a player is removed due to exhibiting signs of concussion the player cannot return to the game, period, no matter what appropriate medical person is present.
What makes this controversial is this decision it put into the hands of the officials. I now have to be the sole judge on this issue. If I believe the player has sustained a concussion, I don't ask the medical about their opinion. Even if medical says the player does not have a concussion I must make a ruling. If anyone says anything that would lead a reasonable person to think the player is exhibiting symptoms consistent with concussion the player is to be removed. Period.
Now think of this scenario. The opposing QB runs to the sideline and gets creamed. All the opposing coach has to say is the 'C' word and I have a problem on my hand. You know this will happen.
More on this as the season goes on but I'm very uncomfortable making this kind of decision.
My first college game of the season is this Saturday. No huge changes here other than the new Wedge foul.
