The Call

Honestly in that situation I probably would not have. If he had tried to show the other team up, spiked it, or really gone wild yes but he just scored a very important touchdown in the state finals and could be going for the win. He celebrated for not even a minute and went back to the huddle according to what I saw on film. The part that got him in trouble was the fans reaching over and high fiving him in my opinion. The flag came out after he did that. I would have flagged him if he went down the whole fence line high fiving but not just one or two people who reached over.

There was no fence. It was a photographer stand just outside the end zone.

Looking at this photo...

http://www.jmusports.com/Facilities/...ridgeforth.jpg

There is no way for fans to reach that far towards either end zone.

I was standing in the endzone that #11 scored the final touchdown. The only person that gave him a high five was the camera man. There is a little bench right under the goalpost in that endzone but the police was forcing people to either side. The call was bogus. I guess if the call was because he gave the camera man a high five then WCYB is the one that cost Burton the game. IMO if they wouldnt have thrown the int after the blocked punt and scored againg before halftime Riverheads wouldnt have stood a chance. You have to take advantage of turnovers in a championship game.

Correct me if I'm wrong, and I may be, but isn't the comment from those who seen it that the official was reaching for his flag before he got to the fence to high five or be high fived?

From what I've seen, he was reaching for the flag as Stewart approached the photog. He was delayed from flinging it due to Stewart handing/pitching the ball.

Yes thats right Rock. The ref reached for the flag shortly after
#11 had reached the endzone with the ball held high. From the looks of a few pics it seems as if the qb was holding the ball up so the defender that was diving at him couldnt strip it. Still, Burton had several chances in the first half to put the game away and not leave it up to the officials to decide.

High fived 3 fans in the endzone after a TD catch v. Cwood in 03. No flag. Obviously wasnt the same official, but still.

I demand a post forfeit [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

That was gonna be my question to you and 1inStripes. Would you in the atmosphere and considering the type of game, threw a flag.
I take up for the officials most of the time.
But in what i have seen i honestly don't see it, in the Burton / Riverheads game.
I have to say i think it was honestly a biase call.
One the VHSL hopes goes away. But one that well opened a can of worms for officials.
Thanks Cats for your view.
I didn't see any thing in the celebration dept. from either team being excessive.

I'm sure you all read it, but it's official.
The official admitted the call was a mistake.