Unfortunately, after Friday, I have to get on my soap box for a few minutes. For those of you who are new to my blog, my soap box issue is poor officiating. Whether it's due to a conscious bias, unconscious bias or incompetence, I really have a problem with this. It has bothered me for years, but after having to take my child to urgent care after a game last year because the officials either didn't know the rules of the game or didn't know how to enforce the rules, it has really become an issue for me. Whether it's young kids or adults playing, YMCA or professionals, basketball, football, soccer, doesn't matter. Officials are there to keep everyone safe and enforce the rules of the game. Sports have two mains purposes: to test people both physically and mentally and to teach people to succeed in life by succeeding in a game. In a game where opponents should be treated as equals, one team being treated differently upsets the tests. While being told that there is no wrong response is great when collaborating or brainstorming, it is detrimental and wrong on the sports field. There is a clear set of rules to every game played. Granted, some of those rule books are long and complicated, but they do exist. Ignoring them gives one side an unfair advantage and puts the players at risk of injury. It is human nature to push boundaries. In football for example, if a defender stops a touchdown by grabbing the horse collar or face mask of the ball carrier, his team and fans cheer for the stop. If no flag is thrown, what is to stop him from using that technique again? Nothing. He received positive reinforcement from his team and fans and achieved the desired result without any negative consequences. On the flip side, if a defense works together a prevents a ball carrier from reaching the first down marker and the officials move the chains anyway, what incentive do they have to work that hard again? None. Mentally, their minds will begin to question whether the effort was worth it? These attitudes are part of human nature. Sports teaches self discipline through positive and negative consequences, victories and defeats. Through victory, you learn that the hard work - the literal blood, sweat, and tears - pays off. In defeat, you learn that more work is needed. When officials decide the outcome of a game, rather than the hard work and skill of the opponents and coaches, you take those lessons and replace them with an inflated sense of accomplishment for the victors and a distrust of authority of for the losing team. Neither lesson is what sports are meant to teach, nor are they beneficial to the players. Sure, referees can help a team win a game, win a tournament or win a championship. But does that really help the players in any way? When that player goes on to play at the next level and is called for all the fouls that the referee overlooked, he has to learn to play the game all over again. By not reacting to bad habits or illegal actions during a game, the referee is teaching the player how to play the game wrong. Ignoring the rules helps no one in the long run. It is actually harmful. Those rules were put in place, in part, to keep the players safe. Believe me, I know that injuries come with sports. It's just part of it. My entire family has firsthand knowledge of that fact. That being said, how many rules that result in penalties were initially enacted because someone got hurt? Why can't a defense cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped? Because no one is protecting the quarterback. Why is tackling by the face mask illegal? Because it can cause serous injury to someone's neck or spine. Why is charging a foul in basketball? Because the person taking the charge could get seriously hurt. These rules exist for a reason. If an official chooses not to enforce them fairly, he should not be allowed to officiate any more games and should be disciplined. If he does not know the rules well enough or doesn't know how to enforce them, he should spend more time in training. These officials are being paid. They are not volunteers. They should be held to a high standard and coaches, players and parents should demand that those standards be upheld.
Having read all that, you can probably guess how I feel about the officiating at the game in Dickinson on Friday night. You'd only be partially right. During the first half, the officiating was terrible. Pass interference not being called, officials inaccurately signalling first downs, and I sure would love to see the replay on a couple of "incomplete" passes. Friendswood's players handled it like they were expecting it. They continued to work hard and press on, even when all the fans were screaming at the officials. I'm guessing that someone talked to the officials during half time because they called things much better in the second half. And the problem during the fourth quarter didn't stem from the officials as much, but from the press box. Throughout the game, regardless of the situation, the officials often waited too long to blow the whistle to end a play or stop the clock. One example, during a kick off where Friendswood was kicking to Dickinson, the kick bounced out of the end zone. For some reason, the officials waited a few seconds after the ball was out of the end zone to blow the whistle. Meanwhile, out on the field, Dickinson is attempting to block for a run back that will not happen and Friendswood is trying to get around those blockers to get to the ball, not knowing that the ball isn't even in the field of play. This happened with "moving dog piles", too. Then, after the late whistle, the clock operator waited to stop the clock. I'm guessing that either the clock operator was new and didn't know how to operate the clock or was so involved in the game that he forgot he had a job. Either way, the result was the officials were constantly having to tell the clock operators to fix the clock. This seemed to only happen when Friendswood had the ball, disrupting the rhythm of the game. I realize that some of the people in the press box are volunteers, but if they don't know how or can't do the job for which they have volunteered, someone else should do it. Something else of note, all of Dickinson's points came during the first half (after the rain stopped). Friendswood scored during both the first and second half of the game. I think that speaks volumes.
So, what about the game itself - well, it started off great for Friendwood, then terrible, then great again. The entire night was a see saw. To start the game, Dickinson kicked off to Friendswood, Bell caught the kick off, handed the ball to Swaney who ran back to around the 50 before we see the ball going flying straight up into the air, only to be caught by Dickinson. That wasn't as bad as it seemed because Reid Nickerson intercepted the pass thrown by Dickinson on their first play.
Friendswood proceeded to hurt themselves during their first set of downs. One stripped ball recovered for a loss and two penalties later, Friendswood found itself in a 4th and 20 situation. Williamson's punt made it to the 50, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Friendswood's offense new life. During this drive, the heaven's opened and the rain that the weather prophets said wasn't supposed to fall began. I wasn't able to take notes for a while because my hands were busy holding my stadium seat over my head. I had actually looked at my umbrella and rain slicker in the back of my car and decided to leave them there because I believed the weather prophets. Thanks to my mistake, I was quickly soaked, but at least the stadium seat kept my face dry.
The rain continued until about 5 minutes before halftime. During the rain, Friendswood settled for a field goal and their defense was effective against Dickinson's offense. Friendswood had multiple interceptions, but something happened when the rain stopped. All of Dickinson's points came during those 5 minutes. For the most part, those points were the result of Dickinson's ability to break away and the fact that they are just faster than Friendswood. Although, Friendswood's short pass protection plan wasn't helping. I'm not sure if the plan for a short pass was for the receiver to catch the ball and stop him immediately, or if that's just how it worked out. Either way, it moves the chains and gets the offense closer to or in the end zone. And if anyone who is reading this will be playing Dickinson later this season, be prepared not just for the reverse, but for several pitches behind the line of scrimmage causing the defense to work it's agility or try to figure out who is actually going to keep the ball and do something with it. This also allow multiple receivers to get downfield because the defense is focused on the ball and not who is headed toward the end zone.
By half time, the score was 3-21 Dickinson.
During the second half, a different version of the Friendwood Mustangs emerged from the locker room. This was the version of the offense and defense that we are more accustomed to seeing. Fewer interceptions, but otherwise a better job by the defense. Blackburn continued to gain yards, even though he took a pounding from the Gator defense and Friendswood looked more like themselves playing against another good team.
Don't get me wrong, there is still work to be done, - defense against short pass, quarterback and receivers need to get in better sync - but much better in the second half. Unfortunately, the comeback wasn't enough. Friendswood was driving and looked to have a real shot at the win when, with under a minute left on the clock, Page's on target pass in intercepted near the 10 yard line.
Box Score 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q Final
Friendswood Mustangs 3 0 6 7 16
Dickinson Gators 0 21 0 0 21
On a more personal note, I don't know if I've ever been more embarrassed to have grown up in Dickinson. The student's behavior, coaches behavior, band's behavior was all rude. Throwing things onto the field during the visitor's portion of halftime? Having organized student activities during the visitor's part of halftime? Coaches blowing whistles for warm ups while the marching band is still performing? Students chanting "You can't do that" when their own team takes a time out? The band being so loud that no one can hear anything (which is not only rude but a UIL rule violation)? All of these should be condemned by parents and school officials. Unfortunately, they all happened and they continue to happen year after year.
Don't think that Dickinson doesn't know about the rules concerning band noise during a game. They used that rule to their advantage in a play off game against Pearland 2 years ago. The rule states:
"Guidelines for Bands Playing during Football Games. UIL Football games are
conducted under NCAA Rules. As it relates to when a band may play during the game,
the NCAA Football Rule Book states:
Persons subject to the rules, including bands, shall not create any noise that prohibits a team from hearing its signals (NCAA Rule 1-1-6 and UIL Rule 9-2-1-b-5).
PENALTY—Dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot [S7 and S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be disqualified [S47].
To assist with compliance, consider the following procedures:
• Have the band stop playing from the time the Offense (of either team) breaks the huddle until the ball is snapped.
• Or, in the case of Offenses that do not huddle, have the band stop playing from the time the Center on Offense is over the ball until the ball is snapped.
This may necessitate creating shorter versions of some music, as is common practice with college bands. A drum line playing throughout the game generally does not prohibit a team from hearing its signals – use your discretion.
Although most officials do warn a band prior to calling a penalty, they are not required to do so.
Consider discussing this matter with your head football coach, athletic director, and/or school administration to determine a plan that is appropriate for your school."
That is copy and pasted from the UIL website. If you would like to see it, the link is http://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/Guidelines_for_Bands_Playing_during_Football_Games.pdf
This actually written for band directors, but football coaches should be aware of this rule. It is my understanding after having seen this rule enforced that it will not be enforced unless the head coach of the opposing football team requests it at the time of the rule infraction. Meaning, had Coach Koopman requested the rule be enforced during the last drive of the game, and Dickinson not heeded the warning if the officials chose to give one, Dickinon's football team would have been penalized 15 yards each time the band got that loud (if you were there or have played Dickinson in a close game before, you know what noise I'm talking about).
So many things happened Friday night that were out of the Mustangs control that could have changed the outcome of the game. That being said, there were plenty of mistakes made by the Mustangs that, had they not happened, could also have changed the outcome of the game. Despite the final score, Friendswood worked hard Friday night and deserves to hold their heads high. The next game is at home and looks to be our first game without rain. Both things to look froward to.
Attaboys for the Friendswood vs. Dickinson game were earned by: Nickerson, Bell, Swaney, Williamson, Blackburn, Follis, Page & others whose names I didn't get to make note of because of the rain.
The next game for Friendwood will feature the Mustangs taking on the Knights of Clear Falls and will feature the "World Famous" Patriotic Halftime. The Patriotic Halftime performance features the Mighty Mustang Band, Wranglerettes and FHS Choir assisted by the FJH Band as they pay tribute to our great nation and the men and women who have served in our armed forces. Kick off is 7pm at Henry Winston Stadium
The band will be hosting this week's pre-game dinner. The dinner will offer a chopped beef sandwich or a sausage on a stick with your choice of 2 sides, (baked beans, potato salad or chips) and lemonade or tea (Lighthouse Charity). $10/plate and tickets can be purchased at the door. BPA will also be selling canned drinks if you would rather have that than lemonade or tea. There will also be a silent auction during the dinner to help the band raise money for their contest season.
Persons subject to the rules, including bands, shall not create any noise that prohibits a team from hearing its signals (NCAA Rule 1-1-6 and UIL Rule 9-2-1-b-5).
PENALTY—Dead-ball foul. 15 yards from the succeeding spot [S7 and S27]. Automatic first down for fouls by Team B if not in conflict with other rules. Flagrant offenders, if players or substitutes, shall be disqualified [S47].
To assist with compliance, consider the following procedures:
• Have the band stop playing from the time the Offense (of either team) breaks the huddle until the ball is snapped.
• Or, in the case of Offenses that do not huddle, have the band stop playing from the time the Center on Offense is over the ball until the ball is snapped.
This may necessitate creating shorter versions of some music, as is common practice with college bands. A drum line playing throughout the game generally does not prohibit a team from hearing its signals – use your discretion.
Although most officials do warn a band prior to calling a penalty, they are not required to do so.
Consider discussing this matter with your head football coach, athletic director, and/or school administration to determine a plan that is appropriate for your school."
That is copy and pasted from the UIL website. If you would like to see it, the link is http://www.uiltexas.org/files/music/Guidelines_for_Bands_Playing_during_Football_Games.pdf
This actually written for band directors, but football coaches should be aware of this rule. It is my understanding after having seen this rule enforced that it will not be enforced unless the head coach of the opposing football team requests it at the time of the rule infraction. Meaning, had Coach Koopman requested the rule be enforced during the last drive of the game, and Dickinson not heeded the warning if the officials chose to give one, Dickinon's football team would have been penalized 15 yards each time the band got that loud (if you were there or have played Dickinson in a close game before, you know what noise I'm talking about).
So many things happened Friday night that were out of the Mustangs control that could have changed the outcome of the game. That being said, there were plenty of mistakes made by the Mustangs that, had they not happened, could also have changed the outcome of the game. Despite the final score, Friendswood worked hard Friday night and deserves to hold their heads high. The next game is at home and looks to be our first game without rain. Both things to look froward to.
Attaboys for the Friendswood vs. Dickinson game were earned by: Nickerson, Bell, Swaney, Williamson, Blackburn, Follis, Page & others whose names I didn't get to make note of because of the rain.
The next game for Friendwood will feature the Mustangs taking on the Knights of Clear Falls and will feature the "World Famous" Patriotic Halftime. The Patriotic Halftime performance features the Mighty Mustang Band, Wranglerettes and FHS Choir assisted by the FJH Band as they pay tribute to our great nation and the men and women who have served in our armed forces. Kick off is 7pm at Henry Winston Stadium
The band will be hosting this week's pre-game dinner. The dinner will offer a chopped beef sandwich or a sausage on a stick with your choice of 2 sides, (baked beans, potato salad or chips) and lemonade or tea (Lighthouse Charity). $10/plate and tickets can be purchased at the door. BPA will also be selling canned drinks if you would rather have that than lemonade or tea. There will also be a silent auction during the dinner to help the band raise money for their contest season.
