Broncos, Panthers Rally for Vulcans Hero
September 21, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Both North Branch football coach Patrick Forster and Birch Run coach Chris Gilliam remember facing Travis Mills when he suited up for the opposing Vassar Vulcans as a talented running back just short of a decade ago.
And that made them more than glad to help out the U.S. Army Staff Sergeant as he recovers from serious injuries sustained during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Broncos and Panthers and their respective communities have been raising money to assist Mills, a 2005 Vassar High School graduate who according to the web site TravisMills.org, is only the fourth quadruple amputee from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive those injuries.
Mills' parents Dennis and Cheri will be presented with a donation during a brief ceremony at halftime of tonight's Panthers/Broncos football game at North Branch High School.
Mills currently is out of state, but according to a recent Tuscola County Advertiser report will be moving back to Vassar on Oct. 3, and will attend the school's Homecoming game two days. His incredible story and recovery have made national news, links to which can be found on his update web site along with donation directions and information.
For additional media coverage heading into tonight's event, click WJRT-12 and Lapeer Area Review.
PHOTO courtesy of TravisMills.org.
Be the Referee: Safety in End Zone
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
October 11, 2022
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 – Safety in End Zone - Listen
Team A has the ball on its own 3-yard line – facing a 4th-and-10. The quarterback drops back into the end zone, and just before he’s about to be sacked, he throws the ball away.
Out comes the flag for intentional grounding – which would give the defense two points and force Team A to kick off. But the coach of the team on defense would rather decline the penalty and take over at the 3-yard line. Can he do that?
Not exactly.
While he can decline the penalty, the result of the play is the same. A safety for the defense. If the penalty is accepted, the enforcement is from the end zone resulting in a safety. Incomplete illegal passes end the play where the pass is made, so even if the penalty is declined, it’s a safety because the play ended behind the goal line.
Previous Editions:
Oct. 4: Football Overtime Penalty - Listen
Sept. 27: Kickoff Goal - Listen
Sept. 20: Soccer Timing - Listen
Sept. 13: Volleyball Replays - Listen
Sept. 6: Switching Sides - Listen
Aug. 30: Play Clock - Listen
Aug. 23: Intentional Grounding Change - Listen