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
Highlight Reel: Girls Soccer Reg. Semis
June 5, 2015
By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director
Jackson Lumen Christi, Flint Powers Catholic, DeWitt and Spring Lake were among those that advanced to Girls Soccer Regional Finals with wins Wednesday.
Below are highlights from their victories taken from broadcasts on MHSAA.tv. Click the headings for each to watch.
Division 3 at Williamston: Jackson Lumen Christi 2, Leslie 0
Lumen Scores Late In First Half The Titans scored both of their goals against Leslie in this Division 3 Girls Soccer Regional Semifinal in the first half. Mallory Hestwood gets the second one late in the period.
Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.
Division 3 at Williamston: Flint Powers Catholic 3, Lake Fenton 0
Sophie Scores For Powers Midway through the first half, Flint Powers Catholic picked up its first goal against Lake Fenton when Sophie Bubnar scored on a rebound.
Persistent Powers Flint Powers Catholic gets its second goal of the game against Lake Fenton early in the second half with Rachel Phillpotts taking the centering pass to score.
Bubnar On The Follow Sophie Bubnar picked up her second goal of the night for Flint Powers on a rebound.
Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.
Division 2 at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern: DeWitt 5, Grand Rapids Northview 1
Dawes Does It For DeWitt DeWitt's first goal came off the foot of Mackenzie Dawes in this Division 2 Girls Regional Soccer Semifinal against Grand Rapids Northview.
Bishop With The Second Panther Goal Taylor Bishop gets a breakaway on this through ball to give DeWitt a 2-0 lead.
Stephan On The Header DeWitt's third goal came off a corner kick. Danielle Stephan heads the ball into the net.
Bishop & Dawes Split The Defense Watch Mackenzie Dawes and Taylor Bishop split the Northview defense with crisp passing as Bishop gets her second goal of the game for DeWitt.
Bishop Finishes Things Off Taylor Bishop gets the fifth and final goal for DeWitt – and her third of the game – taking a pass down the middle of the field.
Northview On The Board Olivia DeShane goes to the far post with this long ball to get the only goal of the game for Grand Rapids Northview against DeWitt.
Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.
Division 2 at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern: Spring Lake 1, Midland Dow 0
Lone Laker Goal Kayla Krueger scores on a rebound for the only goal of the game in Spring Lake's 1-0 win over Midland Dow.
Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.