Football coaches say late-game protocol varies; Huron-Pioneer brawl leaves a 'black eye' regardless
While the investigations by Ann Arbor Public Schools and the Ann Arbor Police Department may reveal what laws and school policies were broken during the post-football game brawl at Huron High School, the protocol for how to approach the in-game situation that led to tensions rising isn’t as clear-cut.
Huron head football coach Cory Gildersleeve took exception to how Pioneer head coach Paul Test handled the final minute of play during Pioneer’s 35-6 win on Friday night. Pioneer recovered a fumble with just over a minute remaining in the game and instead of taking a knee to run the clock down, Test’s team ran two pass plays, including one into the end zone, with a timeout in between before going into the victory formation.
An argument over the game eventually erupted into a full scale brawl involving players and coaches.
While taking a knee and running out the clock at the end of a lopsided football game has certainly become the norm at every level of football, there is nothing in the rulebook that requires it and there isn’t universal agreement on when it should happen.
“I’m not even sure anymore,” said longtime Chelsea coach Brad Bush. “I can’t speak to (the Huron vs. Pioneer) situation, but I know every situation is different and I’m not sure there is a formula really in any sport. It’s tough…sometimes there’s different guys you want to get in the game late, but you also have to consider the feel of the game.
“I really don’t know that there is a right answer.”
First-year Skyline head coach Lee Arthur, who was a head coach at Saginaw High School for several years before coming to Ann Arbor, said he favors taking a knee if the game is in hand no matter what.
“My perspective is coaches know when the game is put away and there are certain times you have to take a knee for the best interest of the kids,” Arthur said, referencing Skyline’s blowout win over Huron last year, when he was offensive coordinator. Skyline took a knee on the 1-yard line rather than trying to score at the end.
“On one hand, you have lots of kids that have never run the ball and will probably never score a touchdown and you want to give them that feeling, that experience, but there’s a fine line in getting kids playing time at the end of the game and running up scores,” Arthur said. “That’s just me, I realize not everyone’s like that.”
A possible reason why Test may have wanted to play out every down regardless of the score and continue passing, is that backup quarterback Brandon Bertoia was making his first start in place of injured starter Aedan York. A reason it may have been a good idea to take a knee, regardless, is the volume of personal fouls during the game, which had grown increasingly chippy near the end.
“There’s really no protocol in taking a knee during a game…you’ve got to look at each game and each situation,” said Saline athletic director Rob White, who oversees football for the Southeastern Conference.
White said communication between opposite sidelines is key to preventing situations from spiraling out of control.
White used Saline’s blowout win over Adrian earlier this season as an example. Comfortably ahead in the second half, Saline had its backup kicker and reserve kickoff team in the game after a score. Saline's kicker mishit the kickoff short and it appeared Saline was going for an onside kick despite its large lead, which is generally frowned upon.
White communicated with Adrian’s athletic director that the kick was a mishit via text message and cooler heads prevailed.
“In that situation I was able to be the messenger and we could attempt to de-escalate a situation I realized could have been taken the wrong way before it got out of control,” White said. “That’s just one example, but in my opinion it boils down to relationships and mutual respect between schools and program.”
The fact that it was a dispute between coaches that sparked the brawl on Friday was particularly upsetting to some.
“Ultimately it was adult coaches who were at the center of this and that’s disgraceful,” said a parent of a player who did not wish to be identified. “Regardless of what happened, adults caused it.”
“It’s unfortunate because I think both (Gildersleeve and Test) are good people coaching to help kids for the right reasons,” Bush said. “In my opinion we have good coaches in our league and good rapport among coaches.”
Both Test and Gildersleeve have been suspended by the Michigan High School Athletic Association for at least one game for their respective roles in Friday’s brawl. Ann Arbor Public Schools could still discipline them further along with assistant coaches and players, but officials said that determination has yet to be made and that the information would not be made public.
There will be a meeting between the SEC's football coaches next Wednesday to determine all-conference teams and White said a discussion about sportsmanship and end of game situations has been added to the meeting's agenda.
“I’m hoping we’re able to sort through this as a conference,” White said. “It’s a sad day and it’s definitely a black eye for our conference and our sport.”
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter at @petcunningham.
Comments
Downup Circle
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
The violence after the game is inexcusable and unfortunate and should be dealt with appropriately once officials can determine what truly happened and who did what. Still, I can't understand why a losing coach would be so angry and contribute to a volatile situation. There are many possibilities as to why Pioneer continued to play late instead of taking a knee. We don't know the reason, but we know it was not against the rules. Maybe others would have taken a knee earlier, but they weren't coaching that night. They weren't there. Also, Huron parents angered for their embarrassed children carries no weight with me. Life will embarrass and humble them more than a football game. How will they respond then? As a former Pioneer player coached by Paul Test, I remember losing to Huron by 30 points and do not recall one person complaining about Huron's tally that day. We were embarrassed, too, but we licked our wounds and tipped our hats to the Rats. I can't think how this whole incident would be different if Huron's coach did the same this year.
Therese
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
The Dexter soccer story keeps coming to my mind during this unfortunate time. I only hope that in the near future Huron and Pioneer will have stories of that caliber to share with us.
Blue Marker
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 11:38 a.m.
Whether it's Schwartz and Harbaugh or Pioneer and Huron a simple solution is to do the "hand shake" before the game when emmotions are in check. After a difficult lose it's best to go your separate ways.
a2gretta
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.
But that's what sportsmanship is all about: playing your hardest and then being gracious whether you won or lost. It is a challenge for young people, which is why coaches should be modeling the behavior.
sc8
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 12:54 a.m.
Great...so some of the other winning schools on the other side of 23 say that it MIGHT be protocol to take a knee. Great reporting. I'd have to say, if the opposing team is getting chippy with my players....I'd run the score up and wouldn't care if anyone's feelings are hurt. But, after the game, I would also know when to walk away if the opposing coach took an irrational approach to the situation.
Laura Jones
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
So you sink to the lowest common denominator. Not much value in that. Not much leadership either.
Terry Star21
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
Pioneer coach Paul Test said in an interview he DID NOT make that last call, I have heard no mention that this was not true. You know this happens, you saw it in the movie 'Rudy'. My question is; was the QB allowed to audible, or did Test have a strict discipline policy of not following orders/play calling (that failed) ? Although I'm convinced the A2 schools are handling the situation well, and there will be more discipline/firings - I am disappointed they still abid by such 'information will not be released' statement. The public, the tax payers deserve a full detailed account of the situation, the discipline placed and who it effected.
AANative
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
Taking a knee at the end of that game was an opportunity to show both class and sportsmanship, I wish Test had done that. The Huron coach had the opportunity to rise above the opposition's behavior instead he let his anger take over, he too missed a chance to show class and sportsmanship. Don't let this ruin the player's season.
northside
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.
Coaches are very hesitant to criticize other coaches, so they weren't the right people to interview for this article. Anyone who knows football and can speak at will knows that what Pioneer and Coach Test did was a big part of Friday night's problem. With a lead that big and under a minute left, teams do something to run down the clock (run the ball, take a knee) and do not try to score.
Ownit
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
disagree....The coach doing all the yelling and needing to be held back was the problem..
DNB
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
@OldTimer The mercy rule is still currently used in high school baseball. I can only speak for AAPS.
OLDTIMER3
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 7:44 a.m.
Why don't they have the Mercy rule like they do in HS baseball and softball?Or is that one gone also?
sloppySam
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 9:42 p.m.
well written article annarbor.com.. Pete. but that being said, it's trench warfare, football not a game for the nervous types... Huron coach blew his cool, he's the adult.. but, there's always next yr... i bet it will sellout, too.. good for the sport is controversy. btw, there are quite a few precedence.. In a 1968 game, already up 42-14, Ohio State scored another touchdown. Woody then called for a two point conversion, which they converted. When asked why he did it, Woody said; "Because the rules won't let you go for three."
sloppySam
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
as one of my best friends from Huron pointed out... if you leave it to people in Ann Arbor to regulate the violence in football they'll have women in yoga balls rolling around on Riverfront field..
dwcwork
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.
It is a game. Coaches are suppose to use them to build character in their students/players. If one of the players is taunting others, then the coach should bench them. Also - losing coaches should use games like that to build character in their own players. One team is going to win and one team is going to lose. But being humans - things will sometimes get out of hand. I was an assistant coach one year for 10 year old co-ed soccer team. They had a great coach. Won every game. One game near the end of the season, they were far enough ahead, that he started moving other players into the forward possition and had the other players set them up so they could score. Parents on the other team got upset because their kids were getting embarrassed, but that wasn't what the coach was doing. When I was on a losing team, I tried harder. If you are a bad team, you celebrate when you stop the other team, when you score a touchdown - even if you are getting blown away. I watched one of my daughters play on a brand new highschool soccer team. They got blown out the first game. The second game they also got blown out, but they scored their first goal. You would have thought they won the world series. That is what you look for. Kids that enjoy the sport and try their hardest and don't give up. That is what the coaches should instill in their players. If that doesn't happen - it is the coaches' fault.
Laura Jones
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 1 p.m.
I coached an 8 year old girls soccer team - we won handily most of the time. On several occasions when we were dominating the game and it was becoming apparent the other team was becoming disheartened, we changed out rules. Only forwards could go over the half court. I had explained to the girls on multiple occasions that sportsman ship was the most important thing on the field, win or loose, and that this could happen and why, One of the girls fathers screamed at me from sidelines and came out to "talk" to me about the "problem". His daughter was embarrassed, the rest of the team was shocked - it was my last season volunteer coaching. It's learned behavior people.
sellers
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
It all depends - if you put in the third string or team manager who never gets to play and have the chance for this person to score a touchdown - then it changes the whole perspective. (thinking back to the Dexter football --nee soccer- -game of a few weeks ago.)
Therese
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.
The Dexter soccer story keeps coming to my mind during this unfortunate time. I only hope that in the near future Huron and Pioneer will have stories of that caliber to share with us.
Harm
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
Yes, there IS a protocol. Either the team that is ahead does NOT try to score, using 1st stringers, or they DO try to score, using 3rd and 4th string players, like I was.... :) (Pioneer, '71)
sellers
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
you beat me too it!
Justavoice
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
Who cares how the last few plays were run? Is that really any excuse? There is no excuse or reason for what happened following the final play. The school district should send a strong message to everyone involved that this kind of sportsmanship should no be tolerated. The police department should look strongly into any possible charges. However, since this is Ann Arbor we will sweep it under the rug, find excuses and give everyone a raise and a trophy. Sports are as much about discipline as anything else. Do the right thing and send everyone involved a clear message that lack of displace and sportsmanship will no be tolerated. Too often we communicate a lack of discipline is ok, and when it comes to teaching our children, that's not cool.
Quitcrying
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 5:53 p.m.
I was getting confused here, like are we trying to justify why a caoch would act this way?
Stephen Landes
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
The only protocol that counts is not losing your head when you don't like the other coach's legal, within-the-rules, decision. You may not like it, but you can NEVER lose your self control.
Nick Danger
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:01 p.m.
I was a supporter of Paul Test when he took the Pioneer job.However, I don't think he understands the meaning of class on the football field.When Pioneer beat Dexter 69-0 with their first string he allowed his players to carry his assistant coach over to Dexter's bench to ridicule the opposing players. He should have been let go after that incident along with his assistant Barberi
Quitcrying
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
Let's pick another game......they did have others....Dexter Dexter Dexter
Laura Jones
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
Of note, Dexter has a history of excellent sportsmanship in the face of trying seasons.
Bob W
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
Couldn't help but note the Pioneer team actions in the AM addition as reported by a Dexter resident. If accurate, where was the coaching staff from Pioneer to use it as a teachable moment, where was the team captain? Have to question what's going on in Pioneer sports, certainly sounds like some changes might be in order.
iCraig
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 6:51 p.m.
Any coach that feels it is in the best interest of sportsmanship to drub a team 69-0 does not see any harm in continuing to run plays in the last minute of that game. Despite the history of former coaches it does not warrant taking this type of action against youth who have sacrificed time and effort to play team sports.
jpud
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
You can spend a lot of time discussing what good sportsmanship entails, we all know what it looks like. We all know what we saw was not good sportsmanship on either side of the ball. The buck stops with the school district. They hired these coaching staffs. Now others are paying the price.
theDoorsofPreception
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.
What about Eli Manning taking a shot for taking a knee to end a game a few weeks ago? "Professional" football players seem to think that wasn't an acceptable end to a game that was in hand. It seems to me that the coaches on both sides lost control of their players. Playing till the clock reads 00:00 is acceptable but if the game is becoming "chippy" then yes, someone needs to end it. I think both coaches ought to be fired and both teams seasons ended. These kind of shenanigans shouldn't be tolerated on a professional level (even though they are, disgustingly so) and certainly not condoned by a group of minors!
theDoorsofPreception
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.
The game is a team sport. Clearly more than one person on each side was involved and the coaches are the most accountable. If a player commits a penalty on the field the entire team is accountable and punished and that is what happened here. Admittedly, there were people on both sides that don't deserve to punished since they didn't get involved. However, since both teams had players involved, both TEAMS ought to be punished. Also, ending the season a game early (in Pioneer's case, no postseason) will absolutely discourage this from ever happening again. This isn't Division I football, no one will suffer a financial crisis because the football team isn't playing. Professional sports teams ought to be handled in the same manner because that is where these kids learn this from these alleged 'role models'.
northside
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
@ Doors: Tampa Bay was the team that went after Manning and they and their coach were widely criticized for doing so.
WWBoDo
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.
Yeah, good idea. End the season so you can punish the good kids, as well, that showed up for every practice, did all the right things and simply wanted to play high school football. Look, you need to punish those responsible for the malfeasance--don't through the innocent, good kids, the good coaches not involved, cheerleaders, band members, etc. under the bus because of the unsportsmanlike conduct of a few. C'mon, let the punishment fit the crime and the criminals.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
If I am reading the story right, Pioneer was airing out the ball and calling time outs late in the game. Taking a knee IS NOT THE ONLY OTHER OPTION. They could have simply run the ball on the ground to chew up clock. I don't have to tell anyone an incomplete pass stops the clock, grinding it on the ground doesn't. So it seems to me with little time left Pioneer wanted to add to their insurmountable lead. While that isn't against the rules its certainly against the "spirit" of the game in the eyes of most folks. Pioneer sits in the shadow of the Big House where no coach in my memory would have done that.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
Jake C, you didn't miss my "sarcasm" you missed my whole point...or you didn't pay attention to Michigan's last drive. I distinctly said taking a knee was not the only option vs throwing the ball in the end zone and calling time outs to extend your opportunity. The only pass Michigan threw in their last drive, which wasn't a scoring drive was 7 yards on a 3rd and 6 to allow the drive to continue ...to chew up clock NOT score again. Michigan only passed twice in the whole forth quarter. The other time was on 3rd and 16 and they only got 8 yards out of it. On their last scoring drive they ran the ball 3 times. The last run was for 63 yards. I have no problem if Pioneer scores in the end as long as its running the ball to chew up the clock. There is a distinct difference.
Blue Marker
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.
I don't agree with the "don't run up the score" argument. It's not good sportsmanship but if you don't want your rival to run up the score on you stop them! This is football not t-ball forgodsakes!
Jake C
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 11:13 p.m.
You mean the same Big House where the Wolverines ran up a 38-0 score to 45-0 in the last few minutes just this past Saturday by playing their 2nd & 3rd string players, also refusing to take a knee? Or did I miss your sarcasm?
skigrl50
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
Coach Authur is a class act all the way...
jamullet
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
I couldn't agree more! I've said that at every game I've watched this year. He leads by example and you see that good influence in the players.
jackdaniels
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
Well said by all those interviewed.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
As far as I have read to date, Coach Gildersleeve denies he pushed Coach Test. IF IF that is true then maybe maybe he wasn't the guy who turned it in to a brawl.
Skiboski
Tue, Oct 16, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
I agree. The one conclusion that you get out of this article is. Every other team would have taken a knee. That does not give Coach Gildersleeve an excuse to escalate it into a brawl, but it was the root of the problem.