Be the Referee: Football Rules Changes

September 5, 2019

This week, MHSAA Assistant Director Brent Rice discusses a pair of football rules changes made the enhance safety.

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 Safety Rules Changes - Listen

Among our football rules changes for this year are two which involve player safety.

The foul for tripping has been expanded to include a trip on the ball carrier. Intentionally tripping any player on the field – using the lower leg or foot to obstruct an opponent below the knees – will result in a 15-yard penalty.

And the definition of a horse-collar tackle has been expanded to include bringing down a runner backwards or sideways by grabbing the nameplate area on the back of the jersey – or inside the neck area of the jersey or shoulder plate. The penalty for a horse-collar tackle is 15 yards.

Past editions

Aug. 29: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen

Unforgettable 5ive: 2021 Football Week 9

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

October 28, 2021

Here's a look at our Week 9 "Unforgettable 5ive" from MHSAA.tv and MHSAA media partner broadcasts:

► Joe Waller scores the two-point conversion in the final seconds, giving Muskegon Catholic Central a 30-28 win over Muskegon Oakridge.

► Cody Britt goes 64 yards for the Gibraltar Carlson score in a 28-14 win over Brownstown Woodhaven.

► Carter Sherman scores the winning touchdown for East Jordan in a 22-18 victory over Frankfort.

► River Rouge QB Christian Johnson scores on the two-point conversion with less than 30 seconds left in a 45-44 comeback win over Southfield Arts & Technology.

► Holt's first offensive play is a 90-yard Ralph Thompson touchdown run – as the Rams went on to defeat Grand Ledge 34-6.