Controversy?

High school football is one of America's greatest past times. In the great state of Oklahoma Classes 6A-3A are deciding their state championships this weekend. Except for class 5A. The semi finale match up between Tulsa East Central and Shawnee High School has been post poned indefinitely since early last week.
Two weeks ago when Shawnee was playing their quarterfinale matchup against Tulsa Booker T. Washington in the final 19 secs. of play, A Booker T. Washington player jumped offsides and grabbed Shawnee's Quarter Back by the face mask and jerked him to the ground. Shawnee's QB then kicked at the Booker T. Washington player.
That was the easy part. The ref's threw their flags and preceded to take 10 plus minutes in deciding what penalties were to be called. During this time the refs were huddled over the ball the Booker T. Washington was allowed to beinvolved in their conversation. Shawnees head coach tried on multiple occasions to be allowed in the conversation as well, but the refs continued to instruct him back to his sidelines. Penalties were decided and Shawnees QB was thrown out along with one of Booker T. Washington defenders. OSSAA (Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association - Basically the governing body of all OK extra curricular activities) rules state that anyone ejected from a high school football game is required to sit out the next 2 regularly scheduled games. Its the "regularly scheduled" that has us waiting for the conclusion to the high school football season. An injuction was filed by the QB's mother the week after the game. The judge ruled in the families favor and it looked as if the game would be played with the QB resuming his starting duties. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday the OSSAA was not able to file an appeal with the OK Supreme Court before the game was to be played the postponed the game indefinitely. This past Monday OSSAA filed their appeal. As of Right now the appeal has not been heard. OSSAA has till tomorrow to file there written evidence and the Brown family (QB) has till Monday to file there evidence. They are hoping that the game will be played by Friday Dec. 10.
Now on to the fun part, my opinion. I was fortunate enough to attend this football game. It was a dirty game that was allowed to be dirty. The refs did nothing to stop the punching and kicking that was going on. If you now me, I really don't have a problem with that. Football is and aggressive, violent, and mean game. As long as no fights are breaking out and its not getting out of hand then its all good by my standards. The probable on that Saturday night was the ref crew had there face rubbed into the fact that they had allowed a dirty game to go on and with 19 secs left they decided it was time for them to take control. The Booker T. Washington coach was in the refs huddle and he lobbied for his team, which he had every right to do. At that time I feel the refs had it shoved in their face that they saw the kick and did nothing about it.
Now, I don't think the Shawnee QB should get off scott free. I believe whole heartedly what he did was wrong and he was caught and should be punished. But as the rules states he should sit out the first 2 games of next year, because they regularly scheduled. The Booker T. Washington player that was ejected, since there team lost would have to sit out the first two games of next season. Which by the way are non-district games and bear no meaning on their season. But he is a senior and he is having to sit out the first to basketball games of the season. My question is what if he wasn't involved in anything else, there is no "stated punishment" for seniors that would no longer be involved extra curricular activities.
I'm rooting for the Brown the family. As a future football coach I believe the rules set by the OSSAA need to be seriously looked at and rewritten. There needs to be a review board for all high school referee's. There are some really bad refing crews out there and they need to be held accountable. Let the kid play, football is a high emotion game. And for those of you out there that don't know the Shawnee QB didn't cock back and kick the Booker T. Washington kid it was one of those "get off me" jab kicks. Not that that should matter, but from my view point it wasn't a kick done to meant harm.
For a more in depth look at this great high school football craziness go to www.newsok.com and check there high school section in the sports page.