Today's bizarre high school football score

Damn. I knew PI was no longer an automatic first down. I usually point it out to people on the sideline when it's a long-yardage or goal-to-go situation. I've seen a couple of teams get tripped up in their playcalling because they think it's a first down, and all of a sudden they're wondering why they're turning it over on downs on the next play.
But I thought all personal fouls were automatic first downs. Maybe I just haven't seen one called that didn't give the team the yardage until now.

In this case the targeting on the QB was at the 28 and they enforced it correctly if that's the rule. It left it at fourth-and-3 and they came up about a half-yard short on the replayed fourth down.

And you're right about high school rules. There are several that drive me nuts. The PI rule is one. Calling offsides when there's no contact or clear encroachment is another. If you flinch into the neutral zone it's a penalty. You ought to be able to jump and get back as long as you don't make contact or take an extra step past the line.

 

Good to know. I never saw the last two in 35 years. Not sure I saw the first two very much or at all.

 

Add to @MileHigh's list the automatic touchback on all kickoffs into the end zone.

One of the great moments I had while regularly covering high school football was one game where I was working near a game film crew. Guy was going on all during one half on strategy, rattling on about the NFL, etc., like he knew it all. So one of the teams lines up for a long field goal and the first thing out of the guy's mouth was "Why are they doing this? They miss and they'll give the other team the ball on the (spot of the kick)?"

Me: "No, in high school, if they miss, it comes out to the 20."
Filmer: "You sure?"
Me: "Yes."
Kicker misses. Ball is placed on the 20. Rest of the game was much quieter.

 

I actually love that rule. It doesn’t punish trying. Very few high school kickers can make one past 25 or 30 yards consistently. But it lets coaches feel comfortable with the attempt.

 

Yes. It's like a punt, but with the chance for three.


Where I am, punts are rarely contested. Rarely. So no roughing the punter calls.

 

Wait, how the hell do you manage that? Run into the end zone or fumble out the back?

 

As a former long snapper in high school, I approve of this. Back when I played (along with walking to and from school three miles, all uphill ), the coaches told me to get the ball to the punter in the air, and anything else I accomplished was a bonus. Players would line up in the gaps on either side of me and just blast through the instant I snapped it.

Between that and being part of the "wedge" on kick return teams, there were some thankless jobs in high school football!