ARE YOU KIDDING?

[Bobcat Thunder]

Missing pad helps Cloverleaf make playoffs

Lodi Cloverleaf sneaked into the playoffs - by the seat of an opposing player's pants.

Medina Highland recovered a fumble in the first overtime and was about to kick what would be the game-winning field goal when Cloverleaf's coaching staff pointed out to officials that kicker Eric Duale wasn't wearing the required tailbone pad. After a 15-yard penalty, the 30-yard kick became a 45-yarder and Duale missed it wide right.

Highland fumbled in the second overtime, Cloverleaf's Allen Bittaker recovering, to set up Kyle Juszczyk's 16-yard touchdown run which put the Colts in the playoffs for the very first time.

Cloverleaf's coaches had noticed Duale wasn't wearing the pad earlier in the game but waited to tell the referees.

"That was the game right there," said Cloverleaf coach Kevin Gault. "It was the turning point. It's hard to come back when that happens."

Highland coach Tom Lombardo was mystified by the turn of events.

"I'm as baffled as you guys," Lombardo said to reporters.

[Tigercannon71]

Thats cheap. Id been ok with it if he hadnt said they noticed it earlier, but waited to tell the ref. if he had said something right away ok, but to hold on no thats cheap and bush league.

[JohnKnight]

Overtime starts on the 20 yardline. If you recover a fumble your team takes over at the 20 or you start anew OT.
This story makes no sense in a high school football game. Please post the link.

[Tigercannon71]

The team fumbled and the other team took over the ball. The took it from the 20 and Im guessing on 1st down they tried the kick. Which would actually make it a 37 yarder not a 30 yarder. So you take it back 15 which puts it at 52 not 45. The kid misses it and game goes to 2nd OT. The kicking team then has the ball fumbles and the other team gets it and scores to win.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

without a doubt, a tough way to lose a game. rules are rules. but right is right also. the ref would have been criticized had he not thrown the flag. a lose /lose situation for every body. i can't imagine a coach thinking i saw this earlier, but i won't say anything about it, until right before he has to kick a game winning field goal in over time. i too, would like to see the link. just something makes it seem, not so cut and dry.

[meyetigers]

as reported in the canton repository:

Pants mishap denies Highland
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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Lodi Cloverleaf sneaked into the playoffs — by the seat of an opposing player's pants.

Medina Highland recovered a fumble in the first overtime and was about to kick what would be the game-winning field goal when Cloverleaf's coaching staff pointed out to officials that kicker Eric Duale wasn't wearing the required tailbone pad. After a 15-yard penalty, the 30-yard kick became a 45-yarder and Duale missed it wide right.

Highland fumbled in the second overtime, Cloverleaf's Allen Bittaker recovering, to set up Kyle Juszczyk's 16-yard touchdown run which put the Colts in the playoffs for the very first time.

Cloverleaf's coaches had noticed Duale wasn't wearing the pad earlier in the game but waited to tell the referees.

"That was the game right there," said Cloverleaf coach Kevin Gault. "It was the turning point. It's hard to come back when that happens."

Highland coach Tom Lombardo was mystified by the turn of events.

"I'm as baffled as you guys," Lombardo said to reporters.

[theassassin]

rules are rules... probably not the first time this player failed to wear the proper equip in a game. should have been taken care of earler in season. dont think i would have mentioned noticing it earlier in the game and then waiting for the right opportunty... sometimes is better to keep mouth shut and not give to much info

[thesmokinglens]

Coach Gault was one of our coaches at CG my senior year... cool guy... funny story... kinda'.

[Boo-Duh]

A similar situation happend in a State Semi Final I officiated one year. On the first play of the game a kid broke off a 3o yard run and the opposing coach brought it to our attentin that the tailback had no butt pad. The Ref check and sure enough he didn't. 15 yard penalty on the payer for failure to wear proper equipment and it went against the Coach also. The Coach tells the officials before the game that all players are properly equiped.

Needless to say the player was out for the next couple of plays and then came back in with a tail pad in...

[The_Sports_Junky]

Why is this coach looking at this kid's rear?

[Boonedawg]

Funny, I never wore the whole girdle thing in 3 years of H.S. football and nobody ever said a thing. Hell, look at any pro or college reciever....no pads. Chicken sh!^ coach, imho.