![](/sites/default/files/imported/Photos/Daily/BetheRefereeSig.jpg)
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
![Today In The MHSAA](/sites/default/files/2021-03/Today%20In%20The%20MHSAA_8.png)
Today in the MHSAA: 12/5/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 5, 2022
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL West Bloomfield downed South Lyon East 63-28 to lead the Oakland Activities Association to an OAA-LVC Challenge win – Oakland Press
2. HOCKEY Undefeated and Division 3 No. 8 Traverse Bay Reps handed Division 2 No. 8 Alpena its first loss 5-4 in overtime – Traverse City Record-Eagle
3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grosse Pointe North improved to 2-0 with a 56-45 win over Detroit Country Day – Detroit News
4. HOCKEY Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central downed Division 3 No. 4 Riverview Gabriel Richard to clinch the Detroit Catholic League Bishop championship – Oakland Press
5. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Ludington opened with a win at its home relays – Ludington Daily News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Lake City defeated the host Northmen 35-27 to win the Petoskey Invitational – Cadillac News
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Chelsea went on a late run to edge Freeland 58-52 in a game honoring late coach Tom Zolinski – Saginaw News
8. HOCKEY Division 2 No. 4 Marquette earned a big win over reigning Division 3 champion Midland Dow – Midland Daily News
9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Taylor improved to 3-0 with a 38-33 win over Dearborn Heights Crestwood – Southgate News-Herald
10. HOCKEY Division 1 No. 5 Muskegon Mona Shores welcomed back its goalie, who posted a 3-0 shutout of Jenison – Local Sports Journal
Also of note …
FOOTBALL Longtime coach Dan Anderson is retiring from Detroit Catholic Central after 23 years including the last six as head coach – MLive-Detroit