Points:
KHSAA got it wrong by suspending these guys:
Ok, the refs made a bad call. Counsel them...tar & feather them
take their measly $60.00 (If that much) for calling the game. These ERRORS happen all the time. The refs at last year's 6A championship made a bad call costing Meade the championship as well. There is no way to make the game or the refs perfect. It's been part of the game and always will be. They are human, even in the NFL Mike Herra (Fox's Ref Expert) will disagree with a call after it has been reviewed by the refs on the field and in NY.
Now I'm not saying that bad calls or interruption of the rules is ok, but why suspend these guys. This happens every Friday night across the state and these bad calls costs teams' important losses.
My problem is with the KHSAA.
1. Why isn't instant replay used at these critical games..it's available, these game are televised (This would have corrected the call last year costing perhaps Meade the 6A championship).
2.. Why doesn't the KHSAA have a head ref in the both monitoring the game. The refs on the field are busy..trying to get the call right..trying to keep the game going
listening to screaming coaches and fans. This head ref could have communication with the ref on the field to make corrections if he sees a wrong mark off for a penalty or wrong interruption of a rule. (This would have fixed the Desales / Murray call)
3. The sideline violation is a point of emphasis for the KHSAA. I have a friend that is a head ref, we discussed this he said you will get in more trouble for not maintaining the sideline than missing a call on the field (Still not sure how Coach Mckee does it he is literally on the field and no penalty).
4. A lot of refs are older and not in the best shape causing them to be out of position to make calls or just flat out missing them because of poor eyesight. You get what you pay for. $60.00 a game is not enough to lure young people into the game. A lot of people don't want the hassle that's associated with being a ref on Friday night or for that matter on Monday for JV games or Thursday for freshman games. Especially having to deal with disrespectful fans, players and coaches all for $60.00. It's only going to get worse once these older refs hang up the whistles and cleats.