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Be the Referee: Most Important Line
October 31, 2019
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains what the goal line means for offenses, defenses and special teams in high school football.
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 - Most Important Line - Listen
There’s an old saying in football officiating that the most important line on the field is the goal line.
This is certainly true when it comes to touchdowns, as the high school rule is just like that at the college and pro level, where all the ball has to do is break the plane for the score.
One unique part of the goal line under high school rules deals with kicks. Whenever a kickoff or a punt breaks the plane of the goal line, it becomes a dead ball with an automatic touchback. Now, whenever the defense gets possession of the ball in the end zone, it can return a fumble or interception out of the end zone for advancement, except if it’s on an extra point or any time in overtime.
Past editions
Oct. 24: Automatic 1st Downs - Listen
Oct. 17: Catch Momentum - Listen
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
State Champs! Michigan: Hockey Time Episode 8
February 3, 2023
Join Jonathon Kidd and Sean Baligian for another of State Champs! Hockey Time.
0:52 - Hartland vs. Marquette Recap
1:39 - Traverse City Central vs. Bay Reps Recap
2:07 - Liggett vs. Father Gabriel Richard Recap
2:57 - Escanaba vs. Midland Recap
3:57 - Forest Hills Central "Starting Lineup Challenge"
5:07 - Flint Powers vs. OLSM Recap
5:48 - Stoney Creek and Grand Rapids Christian
6:51 - Warrior Hockey Player of the Year Update
8:04 - Coaches Corner - Steve Witt - Midland
10:42 - Detroit Athletic Club Athlete of the Year Promo
11:58 - Wall Award Update powered by Warrior Hockey
13:19 - MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase Preview
15:14 - Detroit Catholic Central vs. Houghton Preview
16:24 - Alpena vs. Trenton Preview
17:25 - Livonia Stevenson vs. Byron Center Preview