Let Games Be Decided On Field

(From Replay, October 1, 1999:) Colorado was co-national collegiate football champion with Georgia Tech in 1990. A story in Thursday’s Washington editions incorrectly said Colorado shared the title with Washington.

These days, everyone, it seems, films every football game.

Team managers, opposing coaches, mom or dad, grandma or grandpa.

The minute the Mudville 11 is wronged, somebody is ready to step up to right the wrong.

Fortunately, that isn’t allowed.

It wasn’t when Colorado won a crucial game in 1990 against Missouri. The Buffalos scored the winning touchdown in the 33-31 game on fifth down.

The Colorado coach said stuff happens.

The ultimate reward was a co-national championship with Washington.

Today’s Washington State Cougars might not be in the record book as the school’s biggest loser if they had instant replay. At least the Cougs would have had a chance to dodge history in overtime.

Even in the National Football League, which treats its games as life and death, many people don’t want instant replay.

So why is Riverside saddled with a current 14-game losing streak when the Rams beat Goldendale 16-14 two weeks ago?

Not because of film, WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese said.

Riverside coach Al Martin doesn’t agree, but he’s more concerned with the Rams’ game against Lakeside Friday night.

No one is disputing Riverside received a fifth down and used it to score the winning TD on the last play of the game.

That should have been the end of it. Game, set and match to Riverside.

An error was made. The rulebook states once the field is cleared, the game stands.

Washington is the only state Colbrese knows of that has a provision for protesting in this situation, which overrides the rule book. Goldendale guessed correctly an error was made, brought it to the officials’ attention and they watched film to confirm.

Goldendale protested. “It was not a judgment call,” Colbrese said. “It was a misapplication of the rules. I feel pretty good about the decision. By rule, we followed everything to the hilt.”

It’s a bad rule.

The referees thought they had erred, but Martin said they weren’t convinced until seeing the film. The stat book didn’t show it, the chain gang didn’t know it.

Sure, you hate to have a game decided by an error. Ask the Cougs.

But, WSU coach Mike Price was second-guessing himself about a punt minutes earlier.

Riverside had a touchdown called back. Can we see the replay on that penalty?

“It’s not a big deal,” Martin said. “The kids have taken it well. We told the kids they made a great play (to score the winning touchdown). We didn’t take advantage of the situation, that’s the breaks. It’s just part of the game… . We told the kids you have to play by the rules. The rulebook says an non-correctable error can’t be changed.

“My kids played hard. They did everything they were supposed to do.”

The Rams moved on and played well against Medical Lake.

“We haven’t gone back and said, `What if.’ The kids are beyond it,” Martin said. “We know we’ve got a long row to hoe. It’s something we’ve got to deal with. We started a lot of sophomores last year. They’re juniors know. We’re a year away. They know that.”

In the meantime, a can of worms has been opened.

“They’re going to have to address that now,” Martin said. “It’s their headache.”

Since the Huskies are in Washington, maybe they can help Missouri get that called changed. No sense sharing the national championship.

It’s a great recruiting hook.

News and notes

Defending 4A champion Pasco fell to 1-2 with a 7-3 loss at Davis. After the Bulldogs kicked a field goal, Taylor Stubblefield returned the kickoff 99 yards. The Pirates made sure that was enough because their offense managed only 66 yards. Pasco lost its quarterback for a minor-in-possession violation… . The latest No. 1 team, Curtis, was whipped 28-0 by Bethel… . Prosser has won 79 Mid-Valley League games… . A game in Auburn was delayed 20 minutes when the lights went out. Sparks Stadium in Puyallup was dark for 30 minutes. The Steilacoom at Port Townsend game was postponed when the lights went out… . Jason Barr of Evergreen in Vancouver had field goals of 50 and 48 yards… . Federal Way 4A football has its problems. Decatur, Thomas Jefferson and Federal Way were outscored 161-7 last weekend.

This sidebar appeared with the story: FOOTBALL BIG GAMES The pack behind University in the Greater Spokane League should thin out this week, although a loss by the Titans would tighten the race. Tonight at 6:15 at Albi, Shadle Park (2-1) plays Lewis and Clark (2-1). Friday at 7, Mead (2-1) is at Central Valley (2-1) while Ferris (2-1, 1-1) is at U-Hi (3-0). In the Great Northern League, Deer Park (3-0, 1-0) is at Medical Lake (1-2, 1-0) Friday at 7. Northeast A league play gets under way. A crucial game and an old rivalry highlight the Northeast B-11 with Reardan (3-0, 1-0) at Davenport (3-0, 1-0).