Be the Referee: Point After Touchdown

October 20, 2016

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl explains how high school rules differ from those used by colleges when it comes to what's allowed after extra-point tries.

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 – Point After Touchdown - Listen

For many years at the pro and college levels of football, the P-A-T or the extra point kick, really became a ho-hum play.

Last year in the NFL, they tried to make the play more exciting by moving the kickers back, making it almost the distance of a medium-range field goal.

Under college rules, they allow the other team – the defense, whenever they get the ball – to try to return it all the way to the other end with the ability to score two points.

The next high school game you’re at, know this: that once the defensive team gets possession of the ball on an extra point or try for point, the try is over and the defense cannot score any points.

Past editions
Oct. 13: Untimed Down - Listen
Oct. 6: Soccer Penalty Kick Change - Listen
Sept. 29: Preparation for Officials - Listen
Sept 22: You Make the Call: Returning Kickoffs - Listen
Sept. 15: Concussions - Listen
Sept 8: Equipment Covering the Knees - Listen
Sept. 1: Play Clock Experiment - Listen
Aug. 25: Clipping in the Free Blocking Zone - Listen

What's My Why: Official Will Godfrey

June 24, 2026

Will Godfrey, Jackson

Godfrey just completed his 30th year as an MHSAA-registered official, and he has officiated basketball and softball every season of those three decades. He also has officiated 24 seasons of volleyball, 24 of football and 18 of baseball.

Basically, to stay involved in sports, supplement my income, and just to really stay active.

I would encourage anyone who wants to stay involved in sports to do it. It’s fun and very rewarding. You meet a lot of good people, and it’s a good time.

“What’s My Why” is a weekly feature telling the stories of MHSAA-registered officials in their own words. If you’re an MHSAA official and would like to share your reason why, please submit a 15 to 45-second video, taken horizontally, to director of officials Sam Davis at [email protected].

Don't miss Officiate Michigan Day 2026, July 25 in Grand Rapids! Check out MHSAA.com/OMD to register and learn more.

What's My Why

June 19: Jarrett Skorup, Midland - Watch
June 12:
Brady Driver, Sturgis - Watch
June 8:
Cindy Tyzo, West Bloomfield - Watch
June 3:
Jeff Spedoske, DeWitt - Watch
June 1:
Mike Carrier, Commerce Township - Watch
May 27:
Stan Wright, Warren - Watch
May 26:
Murray Rose, Zeeland - Watch
May 22:
Mike VanLaan, Alto - Watch
May 18:
Clint Abbott, Newaygo - Watch