#TBT: Generations of Football Champions

August 28, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Our first Second Half Throwback Thursday of 2014-15 is such a long toss into the past that we don't know many of the details behind this photo – aside from the common tie between these celebrating athletes and those kicking off this weekend who hope to celebrate as well their football accomplishments. 

This photo was submitted by Mark Duffy, the son of the player holding the trophy, Ferndale Lincoln's Jack Duffy, who is being carried by his teammates and served as their captain.

It was taken sometime during the mid-1940s. Identifying the trophy's significance is trickier still. The MHSAA playoffs didn't begin until 1975, and "mythical" state champions were selected by The Associated Press or Detroit Free Press or News usually after the fact. This trophy might've celebrated a league title or been given as part of an annual "trophy" game, of which there are many played each week.

Be the Referee: Football Overtime Penalty

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

October 4, 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 – Football Overtime Penalty - Listen

What happens when the defense commits a penalty on an extra point try in overtime?

First, the set up. Team A starts with the ball 1st-and-Goal from the 10. On their very first play, they score a touchdown. The extra point is good – but the defense roughs the kicker. What are Team A’s options?

They can accept the penalty, move the ball closer to the goal line and maybe go for two.

Or, they can take the result of the kick and have the penalty enforced when Team B takes over — which means that instead of 1st-and-Goal from the 10 with a chance to tie the game and send it to a second overtime, Team B would have 1st-and-Goal from the 25.

This costly penalty will certainly have an impact on the next possession, where Team B will need a touchdown.

Previous Editions:

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