Comments on: Kickapoo Chiefs Win 4th Straight Ozark Conference Title

By: Rich Garrad

Rich Garrad — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:37:53 +0000

4-4 baby!!

By: Bob Jordan

Bob Jordan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:17:58 +0000

Just as The Fonz can’t say the word “wrong,” Rich cannot say the word “Arsenal.” The question is can Rich say “relegation.”

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=eng.1&&cc=5901

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:21:58 +0000

Rich, The AR might have done that, I did not see it. However, the AR should make sure of the call. Once he raises his flag and the referee sees it, you will hear the whistle. Better late and right, than early and wrong.

By: Rich Garrad

Rich Garrad — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:18:15 +0000

I’m on a roll…”anachronism”…the error of putting a person or thing in a period where it doesn’t belong…one that is chronologically out of place (Merriam Webster definition)…how so the offside rule? The offside (not offsides BTW) rule has been in place since the early 19th century when most of the rules were described and recently underwent some changes (2005 I think) mostly to do with the “interfering with play” part…I don’t see how this is anachronistic. Has the game of football changed so that to do away with this particular rule makes it so…not in my opinion…the offside rule brings to the game subtlety in defending and attacking and controversy in the judgement…that makes the game more interesting. There used to be a team in England that I can’t name…A…..l, that used the offside rule to effect…I despised them for it but (I admit) had a grudging respect for the expert way that they used it.

By: Rich Garrad

Rich Garrad — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:34:53 +0000

Jim…did you notice then that when the linesman flagged for offside he quickly lowered his flag and waved it off, probably realizing that he had called offside for the central player who did not interfere with the play? However, the referee blew because of the initial flag. I’m not criticizing the referee too harshly, everyone makes mistakes…I just think he should have waited a few more seconds and then made his decision, in a big game for the boys it was obviously frustrating to the Glendale kids. Mark…while I agree that ugly stuff directed at the referees is not called for I don’t see anything wrong with a little banter etc from the sidelines, as adults we need to keep that stuff under control, but a little criticism never hurt anyone, IMHO.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:49:21 +0000

As spectators, you are watching the game from the stands while the referees are watching the game closely and being in the right position. From my vantage point I saw the Assistant Referee right where he should be and that was with the second to last defender. He was at the right angle to see the play where 99% of the crowd was not. He was watching the play closely and in his opinion made the call he saw. I, like most of you, were watching the play and then looked when he raised his flag to see where all of the players were on the field. By that time, situations change and players do not look like they were offside.
If you want to see how offside calls appear to be not what they are, sign up for the referee clinic put on by the USSF and see for yourself.

As for the game, much more action than game 1. Crowd seemed to be smaller, probably because of the weather. Let’s hope that the district championship game is better, no matter what teams make it.

Fair Falcon, you are correct that Glendale dominated play by being in the KHS end more and had more possession. Who cares but you, KHS 2 – GHS 1.

By: mark

mark — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:19:47 +0000

I too watched the game from a neutral standpoint. I felt that Glendale truly dominated the game in every part except for the scoreboard. I am a parent of a soccer player and I got to see how foolish I look as a parent sometimes when I yell at the officials. None of us as parents would tolerate the disrespect that was given the officials by the adults at the game. The disrespect we show to authority (i.e. referees) in a heated contest on the soccer field rubs off on our kids and shows in the way they treat teachers, school administrators, and coaches. Maybe we as parents should take a closer look at how we treat others and people in authority and set a better example for our kids. By the way it was parents and adults from both schools who were yelling at the refs all the way to the end of the game.

By: josh keisker

josh keisker — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:28:48 +0000

to all that are in a heated debate over this i would like to say something short and sweet. i am one of the coaches on glendales team and the game should never have come to a refs decision(poor or perfect). we didn’t take care of the opportunities that were presented and in the long run that is what costed us the game. the refs did a good job. yes, maybe the ref made a mistake but as far as i can tell there is no perfect coach, player, referee! kickapoo took advantage and won the game. beauty is we hopefully get to play them one more time in which case it will be very exciting. as to the “fans in the stand”… even though i agree with you on most points, don’t be so quick to group everyone in the “excuse” column. not once has any of the coaches or personnel from glendales team made any excuses on why we lost. to be honest quite the contrary. for the first time all season we had every player on the same page coming off the field after the loss. it will be exciting next week at this time!!!!!

By: Steven Baldwin

Steven Baldwin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:09:57 +0000

wow dude you obviously know nothing about soccer and refing, because those refs were far from fine. in fact they called our players over to talk to us and when we went over there tommy chipped it to the cherry pickers down field and they got lucky. the refs ripped glendale off big time! they were just straight up terrible.

By: Rich Garrad

Rich Garrad — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:57:27 +0000

Great post by “fan in the stands”…I agree the official(s) didn’t really affect the game, Glendale are clearly the better team but haven’t beaten Kickapoo yet, that’s why they play the game. Football is a great team game, rarely does one player make a big difference but Kickapoo have a goalkeeper that can make a difference at this level. However, I would disagree about the offside call, I thought the official reacted to the linesman too early w/o assessing the situation himself more clearly and although it may have been that the Glendale player in the center was offside (I couldn’t tell from my angle) I felt like that player had little to do with play and so the incoming player from the outside should probably have been allowed to continue. Some of us fans do have a little more experience than “fan in the stands” gives us credit for, I personally have played, refereed and watched football for 45 years. The offside call is always the one that brings controversy and perhaps makes the game more interesting, but as stated it is a call that should be delayed until the situation is understood. I enjoyed watching last night, if these two teams meet again it ought to be interesting.

By: Fan in the stands...

Fan in the stands... — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:46:53 +0000

All,

I have no bias in the game, so please take what I say for what it’s worth.

Although cold, it was a great night for soccer! What a great atmosphere presented by the fans, coaches and players! It was a hard fought game, where Glendale SHOULD have scored 1-2 more goals in the 1st half and have been in the lockerroom with the lead. Tommy was off his line too much, and Glendale exploited that. No direct shot is going to go in on that kid, so deflections, crosses and chips are the only way you’ll score on him.

Glendale dominated in possession as well as shots, but weren’t able to capitalize. Kickapoo took advantage of a player falling over the ball, as well as a play after a call when they couldn’t keep their composure.

As for the two “questionable” calls…Yes, there was a Glendale player in an offsides position on the call. Although he didn’t touch it, it was played close enough to him where he seemed to make a “play” on the ball resulting in the offsides call. However, the player that ultimately played the ball was onsides, making it look legal. Check the book, because if a player hops over the ball, runs onto the ball, or it comes that close, most (if not all) will call that offsides. Just a fine line in the wording and interpretation of the rule.

As for the “push” that had everone heated…In a 1 goal game, in the box, late in the 2nd half, how often do you think someone is just going to “push” someone over? My thought process on the call was that it was more of a flop, hoping a “make up” call (PK) would be the result. His hands may have been there, but that doesn’t mean he extended them.

Who is the better team? IMO it’s Glendale. Who wins and does what it takes? Kickapoo. Glendale had their opportunities but didn’t capitalize. Make the chips and easy shots in the first half and the game’s a blowout.

As for the officials…The best high school official in the area (and possibly the state) did the center for the game. An understanding of advantage as well as trying to tighten up at times should be understood by spectators. 20+ years of experience and once FIFA certified. The bench flag has 20+ years of experience and is also FIFA certified. The crowd flag has 10+ years of experience and the only call he was questioned on was one I believe most officials would have made in that situation. If you play a ball that close to someone in an offsides position, the flag WILL go up. Better late and right than early and wrong, but better not to play a ball (or make it look like you are) from an offsides position.

We’re hurting for officials in this area of the state, please don’t blame them for any win or loss that is seen. Glendale knows they should have won the game, but they are choosing to blame the officials. Kickapoo should not have won the game, because they aren’t the better team, but it wasn’t because of officiating.

By: Fair Falcon

Fair Falcon — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:31:41 +0000

I appreciate fair play and officiating, but I cannot congratulate Kickapoo on the vicotry last night. The play in the field was COMPLETELY dominated by Glendale for all but a few brief minutes. I also rarely complain in a major way about officiating, but last night was among the most horrid I have ever witnessed. Off sides is a call that is often misunderstood and I see it isnt confined to just fans. KSH got the win GHS got robbed!! To our boys….keep up the effort quality eventually wins despite the odds, even when they are stacked against you!!