Coming up on 2H (11/16-11/18)

November 16, 2012

It's another Finals weekend, with MHSAA championships to be decided in three sports over the next two days. And Second Half will have coverage of every game, match and meet. 

Tune in late Friday for coverage and photos from the 8-player Football Final pitting Bellaire and Deckerville at Greenville High School. 

On Saturday, we'll have coverage of all four Volleyball Finals at Battle Creek's Kellogg Arena, plus coverage from each of three Lower Peninsula Swimming and Diving Finals thanks to our crew of knowledgeable correspondents. 

MHSAA 11-player football Semifinals are all Saturday, so keep an eye out later today for a brief preview of each of those games, plus the story of Saginaw Swan Valley sophomore running back Alex Grace. He's run for more than 2,000 yards in helping the Vikings get back to the Semis in Division 4. 

Be the Referee: Football Rules Differences

By Sam Davis
MHSAA Director of Officials

August 23, 2023

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 Rules Differences - Listen

The first week of the high school football season is always exciting … and sometimes confusing. Here are some – not all – differences between the high school game and what you see on Saturdays and Sundays.

In high school, there is no such thing as an uncatchable ball when judging pass interference. It is a penalty if there is illegal contact, whether the ball is catchable or not.

In overtime, high school teams start with the ball at the 10-year line – not the 25 like in college. And in high school overtime, you are only able to get a first down via penalty. And, at no time is a high school team required to go for two points.

And on extra point plays, if the defense gains possession, the try is over. The defense cannot return the ball for two points.