Be the Referee: Field Goal Falls Short
By
Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials
September 30, 2021
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 – Field Goal Falls Short - Listen
Three things can happen if a field goal attempt crosses the line of scrimmage but comes up short of the goal line. Do you know all three?
First, the ball can go out of bounds. If that happens, the ball is dead and on the change of possession, the team newly on offense takes over where the ball went out of bounds.
Second, the kicking team can be the first to touch the ball. When that happens, this is the first touching and again the team newly on offense takes over where the ball was downed.
And third, the receiving team can return the kick. And they would take over on offense after the returner has been tackled or goes out of bounds.
Think of a field goal attempt as a punt, and you’ll always know what’s possible if the kick comes up short of the goal line.
Previous editions
Sept. 23: Volleyball Obstruction - Listen
Sept. 16: Catch or No Catch - Listen
Sept. 9: Intentional Grounding – Listen
Sept. 2: Pass Interference – Listen
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen
Performance of the Week: Hudsonville's Brady Van Laecke
October 10, 2025
Brady Van Laecke ♦ Hudsonville
Senior ♦ Football
Hudsonville's quarterback produced one of most notable performances in the state during Week 6, completing 11 of 13 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns and running 17 times for 85 yards and two more scores as the Eagles held off rival Rockford 35-28 to improve to 6-0 and move into first place alone in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red.
Van Laecke saw time during last season's Division 1 championship game loss to Detroit Cass Tech at Ford Field, throwing three passes, running five times and punting twice. He also is a sprinter on the track & field team and was part of Hudsonville's O-K Red championship 400 relay in the spring. His final scoring pass against Rockford, to teammate Lawsyn Weber, received national attention as Weber leapt over a defender and pulled down the pass in the back of the end zone.
@mhsaasports 🏈POW: Brady Van Laecke #hudsonville #football #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA
@mhsaasports 🏈POW: Brady Van Laecke #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA
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Previous 2025-26 honorees
Oct. 2: Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock volleyball - Report
Sept. 25: Sam Schumacher, Portage Central tennis - Report
Sept. 18: Kaylee Mitzel, Saline field hockey - Report
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Hudsonville football program.)