Controversial call stands: Torres advances in California high school football playoffs after illegal 2-point conversion
After hours of discussion, the controversial finish between two Central Section California high school football teams - Torres of Madera and Shafter - will stand.
Torres, a third-year program, will advance to the CIF Central Section Division 4 football championship game at Dos Palos following a 43-42 overtime victory at top-seed and previously unbeaten Shafter.
The game ended on a 2-point conversion pass after a high snap on an extra-point kick attempt led to holder and quarterback Jose Soriano to scramble and complete a pass to a wide open Joseph Bass. Later, it was discovered that Bass was the snapper on the PAT and an illegal receiver (see video above).
Bass, the team's star 1,000-yard running back, is also the Toros' long snapper who provided the high snap. He wasn't an eligible receiver but game officials did not realize until well after the game
Had the correct call been made on the field, Shafter would have won 42-41 because illegal-men-down field penalties carry a loss of down. The game would have ended immediately.
Shafter appealed and Central Section commissioner Ryan Tos met with administrators from both schools on Sunday morning. After more than three hours, the section released this statement:
"After reviewing the information presented and speaking with all the parties involved, the result of Friday’s game between Matilda Torres High School and Shafter High School stands as was called on the field."
Ron Stapp of Bakersfield.com got reaction from Tos and Shafter coach Jerald Pierucci, who said he was "bummed" with the decision and thought the CIF was built to "right wrongs," and that it "kicked the can and took the easy way out."
Tos couldn't have disagreed more on that point, noting that a bylaw adopted last year that appeals must be handled on the field.
"It's truly an unfortunate situation," he told Stapp. "It was a missed call and there several other errors but at the end of the the day that's the ruling we have based on the information that we have and the bylaws that we have. We wish we had a time machine where we could go back to 9:55 that night because what a great game to end that. It's really sad. But any questions about the game need to be resolved before they enter the locker room."
That was part of the problem and Shafter's argument, Pierucci and Shafter athletic director Brian Feaster said. According to them, the game officials left the field before Shafter could officially protest. Part of the reason for the quick exit, officials said, was for physical safety.
Those talking points were all discussed in Sunday's meeting and why it went for so long.
"I can’t say that I’m surprised by their decision, and I don’t want to sit here and bash on the CIF, that’s not my intention, but the CIF doesn’t ever make rulings,” Pierucci said. “They pass out rules for others to enforce."
Actually, it is the Board of Managers — school principals — who make the rules and the CIF, referees and officials do the enforcing.
The rules say once the referees left the field and score is submitted, all hands are tied. If one bad call or ruling is overturned postgame, then why can't others be addressed? Pierucci acknowledges that changing Friday's result would open "Pandora's box.
"By my response to that whole thing is, isn’t this what you should open Pandora's box for? For these moments?" he said. "These moments where there is obviously a wrong. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do when we’re leading young adults, is to show integrity and to show sometimes making the right choice means you have to make some people upset.
"Obviously you have to be the bad guy, too. I know you’re always going to be 50-50 right and wrong, but I think in this case there are more people siding with us, because it’s an obvious wrong.”
Short of Torres dropping out or conceding defeat, Shafter's appeal was not going to be met with a pleasant outcome. Tos said he wanted to make sure the issues could all be heard.
“This is a big, nasty, ugly issue and I wanted to make sure we did what we felt was most appropriate, and I use that term because I don’t think there is a right decision,” Tos said. “There’s not a right and a wrong here, it’s just ugly all the way around.”
