Be The Referee: Catch Momentum

October 17, 2019

This week, MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice offers a "You Make the Call" regarding catch momentum after an interception near the goal line. 

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment - Catch Momentum - Listen

Here’s another edition of a football You Make The Call. On a passing play, a defender intercepts the ball at the 2-yard line, and the momentum of the catch carries him across the goal line.

The defender is allowed to come out of the end zone on this play. But while breaking free from the grasp of an opponent, the ball is fumbled out of the back of the end zone. What’s the call?

Since it was the momentum of catch that carried the defender into the end zone to begin with and the ball remained in the end zone and was declared dead there, a rules exception places the ball 1st-and-10 at the 2-yard line. 

Past editions

Oct. 10: Golf Rules Changes - Listen
Oct. 3: No Tackle Box - Listen
Sept. 26: You Make the Overtime Call - Listen
Sept. 19: Swimming Finishing Touch - Listen
Sept. 12: Curbing Gamesmanship By Substitution - Listen
Sept. 5: Football Safety Rules Changes - Listen
Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen

Unforgettable 5ive: 2022 Football Playoffs Week 3

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

November 15, 2022

Five unforgettable plays from the second week of the 2022 MHSAA Football Playoffs:

► Detroit Cass Tech defeats Macomb Dakota 35-21 as Leeshaun Mumpfield scores the go-ahead touchdown.

M'Khi Guy propels Muskegon to a 27-20 win over Zeeland West with a 15-yard touchdown run.

Clinton downs Warren Michigan Collegiate 31-30 as Bradyn Lehman plows in for the game-winner.

Jacob Shank scores five touchdowns including one from 48-yards out as Riverview defeats Dearborn Divine Child 45-35.

 Birmingham Groves gets past Livonia Franklin 32-25 as Joshua Woods scores on a 48-yard touchdown run.