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MHSAA Football Kickoff Video - 2016
August 26, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA video crew visited three opening-night football games Thursday to capture the atmosphere of another start to high school football season.
Check out this compilation by Jeremy Sampson, an award-winning sportscaster who joined the staff this fall.
Although many varsity teams began Thursday, a number of teams statewide take the field tonight and Saturday.
![A Livonia Churchill player focuses on making the catch during a 2022 game.](/sites/default/files/2023-08/230823_football_2H.png)
Be the Referee: Football Rules Differences
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
August 23, 2023
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 – Football Rules Differences - Listen
The first week of the high school football season is always exciting … and sometimes confusing. Here are some – not all – differences between the high school game and what you see on Saturdays and Sundays.
In high school, there is no such thing as an uncatchable ball when judging pass interference. It is a penalty if there is illegal contact, whether the ball is catchable or not.
In overtime, high school teams start with the ball at the 10-year line – not the 25 like in college. And in high school overtime, you are only able to get a first down via penalty. And, at no time is a high school team required to go for two points.
And on extra point plays, if the defense gains possession, the try is over. The defense cannot return the ball for two points.