A ninth football game that never ended

Williamsville South, which lost to Grand Island in last weekend's Class A semifinals, and West Seneca East, which also lost in the semifinals at Iroquois, played a ninth game Thursday night with South winning, 48-28, at East.

Here's our Web story (one which, by the way, has more information about this weekend as well as Thursday night's games than we could fit in the paper):

A few things:

* Any issues I have with what happened in this game have nothing to do with Joe Licata, who is a fabulous student-athlete, and, from my few interactions I've had with him in the course of doing my job, he seems to be a great young man. The kid is a great player and that's why colleges are after him. He throws touchdowns. That's his job. That's what he does. 

* The reason the Will South game is at the end of our story is because the record was set in a ninth game.  The statistics are certainly legitimate. The games are a chance for schools to play more football, and I'm in favor of them. But I think everyone would agree that these games certainly fall under a different category than a regular season game. 

* Maybe the ninth-week thing is part of what is giving me a not-so-great feeling in my gut.

Just because it's not the regular season anymore it doesn't mean sportsmanship has to get thrown out the window.

First and foremost: These games are supposed to be a good thing, giving teams another opportunity to play and programs a chance to grow long-term. The games are not supposed to be called with 50 seconds left due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

In another ninth-week game that was called in, the coach reporting the game struggled to find a name of the kicker of a late touchdown because the regular kicker for a team had been kicked out of the game.

Then there's South throwing the ball for a touchdown with less than a minute to play when it had the game won, and how that touchdown was a sixth passing TD of the game that went into the books as a Western New York record-breaker.

Any box score from any point of the season that included a passing touchdown with 50 seconds left would raise my eyebrows. I've called out teams before for passing with big leads in the fourth quarter. Maybe it's me.

I had an interesting discussion with some very trusted, very intelligent sports copy editors at work and they had no problem with the late touchdown. It was only a 14-point game, not a 40-point game, they said. Let them go for the record, they said. 

What do you think they should have done, my coworkers asked. I suppose I think that with a 14-point lead and less than a minute to play in the game, South should have been running the ball, first game or ninth game, first down or fourth down, record or no record.

But I certainly could be wrong, and there's a space below where I'm sure some people will tell me so.

---Keith McShea

Comments

[Heathbar]

If the season started with a non-leaguer, how could the season end for GI after week 2? I stand by making the season mean something - maybe GI should have played better in week 2 IDK (I don't know why GI would have been out so early)

But the one team in a hundred that could possibly be allowed to get in to the finals and win it all after being 4-4 in the regular season doesn't sway my thoughts too much.

in addition there are too many meaningless games in this format.

My son's freshman year we had a horrible season, started numerous freshman, the ninth game ended up having to drive 100 miles to Roy-Hart. It was 35 degree, icy rainy day and we had to beg Roy-Hart to even play the game. You could tell they had no desire to play. I don't remember this happening in an 8 game schedule with only the best team in a division going to Rich Stadium and all games counted but first non-leaguer.

[Football Guy]

If only 4 teams made the playoffs then Grand Island's season would have been over after Week 2...

I like the 8-team playoff. I wish the state would give the kids 8 regular season games, 3 playoff games and then a state tournament.

But the state doesn't allow them to play any more than 10 (and now 9) games. Teams that play in the state finals play 13 games.

The kids should be allowed to play 11 games... 14 for state finalists...

[tevend]

you parents need to stop the bad mouthing. This is where the voilence and hotheadedness comes from. Our children take after us. Maybe the parents are the ones that need to talk to their kids about unsportsmanship and not the school or the coaches. Remember it starts at home. I've followed WSE football for along time and i have pride in my high school but remember parents it starts with you, you lead by example.

[a041262]

you all praise lacata for a good game and bill fildes get called out for being a dirty player. thats why the willy south coached hugged him at the end and said what a good player he is. so the picking on and calling him names stops now. everything you say about him is not true.it is ridiculous that grown ups says things about kids they dont even know

[hoopster]

HB, I agree. Give me a choice between between a "consolation" game and a "non-league" game at the start of the season I'll take the non-league game. Who knows, if they did, maybe we might just see a few more games between top teams who won't schedule each other because they don't now have that luxury.

[Heathbar]

Hoopster - Play the game yes - but make it when it matters (8 games before playoffs, instead of 7 + 75% of the last games being meaningless.

Make the format top 4 so the 8 games mean something. (The last two years have shown that most of the first games are blowouts and who likes watching that.

Your not taking away from the kids, your adding to the intensity of the games. Also starting the season with the non-league game will improve the competition in general - everyone gets to see their team play a before the divisional play starts. Also it adds to the suspense. Class D had the luxury of 2 non-leaguers for each team to start the season - look at how the teams were able to adjust and how the divisions were in a fight to the end. Look at Class C where everything was essentially decided with 2 games left. Hardly any teams in Class C had a non-leaguer to start the season)

[hoopster]

A couple thoughts:

1. To suggest this was about setting a record rings hollow in my opinion. Coach Kurznaski had plenty of opportunity to pad stats and chase records throughout the season and chose not to. He sat Licata and others when those opportunities were presented. He did so in this game when it appeared securely in hand;

2. If you play the game, play it well and play to win. South had taken players out of the game. East came back to their credit and the outcome, although still a likely South win, was not a certainty. South then did what they do, pass the ball, after six straight runs, scoring to ice the game. A fumble return for a TD is no different than an INT return for a TD. Play to your strengths. The TD iced the game.

3. The stats are legit. The game counted. So do the stats.

4. Complain about playing the game if you want, not the stats that result. I'm with others regarding a consolation game. It's nice opportunity for the kids to play an extra game and enhance their hs school years. More, not less, should be done for these kids.

5. Lastly, Joe Licata and the Licata family are great great people. They are the type of folks we would all be fortunate to call friends. Congratulations to them!

[dsfootballfan]

I was at the game.
I seen all the penalties called and seen the refs call both teams to the middle of the field in the 3rd quarter. ( this probably should have been done earlier ).
The fans applauded this.
We all have our opinions whether South should have gone for the record or not.
We also have our opinions on what the game was all about...
We all saw plays that can be construed at dirty. This happens every game, but not to this extent.
One thing that is intolerable is coming on here and calling certain players names and singling out numbers.
What have we become as a society when our kids play games and we as adults pick on other kids and call them names and call them dirty players.
I know I have been guilty of opening my mouth at games voicing my opinion on a certain call or player. We all (including me) should show more sportsmanship.
The coaches should be in more control of the teams they coach.
The refs should score each team individually on sportsmanship and this should go to Section 6 weekly.
If one team constantly shows up as a problem then they should be dealt with by Section 6.

[freethrow]

at the same time Colleges also look at leadership and the way the WSE's team is acting there isnt any leadership so if u wanted to seperate ur son from all this talk then your son shud have been that kid that went to his teammates and said "hey the behavior and sportsmanship we have been showing is unacceptable and if we wish to make a good name for WSE then we must stop" but no in WSE's case its all about the name on the back and not the front

[a041262]

first of all my son is not a dirty player .you people should not trash talk other kids who are out there for the game. has not had a penalty called against him all year. was coached by mike ferrentino please do not trash talk my son. there are colleges who are looking at him and does not need this trash talking about him that is not true . please refrain from talking about other people children.i will defend him to the end . my son is a scholar and a gentleman. my son does not retaliate against teams who go out to try to hurt him . he knows it part of the game

[freethrow]

Listen denise u may want to defend ur son all u want but everyone knows West Seneca east's behavior and i have seen it in many games. jus cuz u say u wre at the game doesnt mean ur son isnt on the field doing dirty stuff. refs are right on the field too and they dont see alot of the junk many players do in piles so dont give me that. i actually played 4 years of varsity football so obviously i wud know

[Positive]

It is sad that Keith McShea comments on a high school football game without gathering all of the facts. Athletic contests were cut at the State level, due to financial crisis. Knowing that I commend the school districts for playing a ninth game so the kids can play. Who can find fault with that.

What is sad is even though Keith McShea proclaims nothing against a player, he certainly has taken issue with his accomplishments.

Come on Keith McShea learn from your mistake and give the kid and the team their credit they deserve.

This is the problem with the media, if one kid robbed a store it would be on the front page, but if a kid does something good...well in this case, Keith McShea decides what happens.....I hope you get disciplined for your lack of professionalism...

[denise]

if you count buff state camp the kid swung at my son first my son was de fending himself i was there

[denise]

trenchtropy were you at the game?

[denise]

first of all #44 didnot open his mouth to anybody dont assume stuff i take offense to that . he is a class act what ever sport he plays.

[Heathbar]

What really stinks is winning one or two games in the first 7 games then having to travel 120 miles to a school that is as bad as you are and play a "toilet bowl" game. It seems this final game could be scheduled against a team where there is at least a history, no matter the class (like wilson vs Williansville.)

[Heathbar]

I wish it was 8 games and only top 4 make playoffs - who wants to lose a playoff game and come back and play a meaningless game that is barely better than a scrimmage.

Not to mention the all too many blow-outs in the current first round of the playoffs (look at last years playoffs and much of this years - first round is often a farce.

I also think that the first game should be non-league for ALL. In class C South Fredonias fate was set by week 5 with the first 4 games being league and all their home games in the first 4 weeks. While Falconer started with 2 non-league and thus has the distinct advantage of knowing their team before any game counts. (Falconer was not able to take advantage it but still.)

[George Conley]

Interesting array of thoughts-many well articulated. Should consideration be given to abolishing the post season game?

[fballstud]

Breaking records in consolation game!?! And that really counts??!!!
You gotta be kiddin' me!!! (Nothin' against Licata...)

[Keith McShea]

Mr. Right Thing:

To reiterate from the original post:

" ... Joe Licata ... is a fabulous student-athlete, and, from my few interactions I've had with him in the course of doing my job, he seems to be a great young man. The kid is a great player and that's why colleges are after him. He throws touchdowns. That's his job. That's what he does."

I know the Williamsville South coach, have written many positive things about him over the past decade and I believe him to be a fine coach.

That doesn't mean legitimate questions can't be asked and discussed regarding the game and how it ended.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Do the right thing...]

Mr. McShea:

I always thought a reporter's job is to report.

Throughout the years, Western New York has been lucky to have high school reporters help promote student/athletes.

You, like everyone else, is entitled to your opinion. You are not certified to be a coach or employed by a school district.

Your power of the pen has hurt a young man, who throughout his career, has shown dignity and always deflected his accolades back to his team. I have followed this young man's accomplishments and for you to bring negative attention is not the way an adult in a position that you hold, should do.

In regard to the coach, from my experience, unless you play for him and know how much he has made positve differences in the live of the young men he coaches, your pen dimishes his impact. Why don't you talk to some of his players about how they feel about this well respected coach-teacher and family man.

I am hoping that you do the right thing and apologive to this young man and give his and team the respect they deserve.

[Keith McShea]

WNYFB: On my "misguided and pathetic attempt to minimize and ruin a great kids record."

That's clearly not the case, which is why I wrote what I did about Licata. I've been writing about him all season. The issue I had was obviously not with the player.

Trenchtrophy: No, I wasn't at the game, but I'm making no assumptions -- I'm looking at the facts of a box score. And like I wrote, I'd have the same questions no matter when this game was played.

"Keith is way out of line by having any opinion at all."

That happens to be my job.

I wrote about my reaction to the box score because I thought that how that game ended was going to provoke opinions and that it was certainly worthy of a discussion -- and that's just what we've had.

I think Milt's point about the ninth game being intended to get players experience for next year is a good one. That's been my take on the ninth week games, but again, perhaps I'm wrong.

Here's to good discussions and good football. The real Week Nine kicks off in a few hours.

[jack]

What WillSouth pulled last night is an embarrassment to their program. Last year section 6 had four state champions. All four teams won titles will class and respect for their opponents. All four teams took starters out of games when they had big 3rd and 4th. quarter games. WillSouth what kind of records do you think Secky,Kasz and Hoppy could have set if their coaches left them in to set records. It's about winning not setting records. Thats why WillSouth will be watching the section 6 finals from the stands. You guys look real cool with the "BLACK EYE"!

[DJ]

A few comments from someone who attended the game and was very close to the action.

Before every game, the Sportsmanship Pledge is read for all to hear and obey. In that pledge it ststes that they will not tollerate taunting or unsportsmanlike behavior and that if such actions are seen or heard a penalty will be given immediately...they are instructed not to issue warnings.

This game was chippy from the outset with both teams doing their fair share. From Souths #2 taking a few liberties after the whistle to an East player taunting after a hard tackle. The refs clearly lost control early and did what they could do to settle things down.
While it seems South's offense is built around the pass, the final touchdown may have been more for the QB's personal glory than to ensure a victory.
Lost in the shuffle were excellent games by Senior Billy Fildes, Souths LaCada, and the back up QB for East Guzda who what tossed into action after Tangelder was ejected.

[WOW]

I have been around a long time, and I love WNY football. But please help me out, when did it become ok to keep your starters in the game in the fourth quarter when you are up by 2 or 3 touchdowns. If that isn't bad enough the coach then throws the ball to score another touchdown so his player can break a record in a game that doesn't matter. YOU GOT TO BE KIDDIN ME!!

[Make VI stronger add MMA]

WSE was kicked off the feild at the Buffalo State Team camp this summer after a fight broke out with Lockport.

[Fran]

An incomplete pass takes what, 4 seconds off the clock? A tipped ball interception returned for a TD takes what, 12 or 15 seconds off the clock. That would have really put South in a vise. Yes, I watch football. The smart play was to kneel it out.

[unknown]

Freethrow the problem is that the West Seneca East coach is the chairman of class A South which is totally ridiculous. i have seen a number of games over the years where this guy and his team are totally unsportsmanslike. This guy should never see the sidelines as a head coach or any coach again. Last year at i think it was the iroquois game he chased the refs off the field for some call the official made and this year one of his players were tossed for running over a Sweet Home player when they were kneeling out the ball. Maybe South's coach was protecting his players from such a thing and not kneeling down. Any one else see this kind of poor behavior from West seneca East??????? I am sure you have.

[trenchtrophy]

Fran -- do you watch football? Had South taken a knee with the 50 seconds or so left on 4th down it would have taken one second off he clock and change of posession. Both teams at that time in the game were trying to win. South wins football games throwing the ball.

It is what it is -- Milt was right, there are many ways to look at the sitiuation. I for one see no wrong doing giving a kid a record and making sure you win a game.

[Fran]

trenchtrophy
I tried to follow your recap of the final minutes of that game but it doesn't make sense. I think you are saying that WSE was desperately trying to win the game by scoring touchdowns against the South bench warmers. OK, that's clear enough. So South put their first team offense back in to do what? Run out the clock? Are you saying the only way for them to win this game was to score another touchdown? That's dumb.
And in your recap you say that WSE took their last timeout after an incomplete pass? Makes no sense but, OK, if you say so. So now there is a minute or so to play, WSE has no timeouts. The ball is near their own goal line. There is a reasonable expectation that South will take a knee, and put their first defense back on the field. The same defense that held WSE to 13 points in the first three quarters.
At this point anyone interested in ending the game with little risk takes a knee. Anyone interested in setting a record throws the ball. That is a high risk play in that situation. A tipped ball could easily result in a defensive TD. You are defending the indefensible here, it was a STUPID strategic move, only worth the risk if the ultimate goal is setting the record.

[WNTFBFAN]

Fran: You are wrong sir. The record was already broke much earlier in the game..I do agree about not passing if you want to run out the clock DUH!. If you are the East coach you should encourage passing in order to get a pick..All this whinning is hilarious. I know Coach Maurino could care less, and Bill Fildes would say bring it on..My gripe is when a News paper writer tries to minimize or diminish the accomplishments of a kid because of one pass , that sucks. He could have had that record weeks ago, if they cared about it. They just play. By the way I am a WS East fan. I enjoy watching high level talent , and thats why I am defending the south kids and Coach Kurzanski. I also do not appreciate the fact that everyone is considering our Trojans as a trashy team. We were 5-2 regular season and the only losses were to Iroquois and Sweet Home. East can play with everyone in class A. South played the best team they could in the consolation bowl.

[freethrow]

this is where the chairman needs to talk to WSE and their Sportmanship.

[trenchtrophy]

I'm not sure what the problem here really is. I was on the sideline for the entire game. South was up 42-13 and got every single kid in the game. All of the sudden WSE starts to score, kick onsides, create turnovers, score again, kick onsides again and before you knew it the game was close again. On the final drive before the game was called Licata was on the field 3 times. It was an 8 play drive. South threw the ball twice. Krempa and Knight ran the ball 6 times in a row. WSE took all three time outs with under 1:30 to play. It was 4th and goal in a two TD game. Had south taken a knee WSE would have the ball back with enough time to score and then you never know what happens after that. Licata threw the ball on 3rd down to a wide open kid in the end zone. It was dropped. clock stopped. WSE CALLED A TIME OUT again. On 4th down Licata threw again and this time it was caught. There was no running the score up, there was no intent to show bad sportsmenship by throwing a TD. South needed to do something to seal the victory and they did what they've done all season -- throw the ball.

Both teams were very hot headed, Coach K took kids out of the game that were being idiots. WSE did not. 22,11,44 would not shut their mouths -- they attacked the officials and took cheap shots every chance they could. The South kids finally started to protect themselves and thats when it got out of hand. The officials should have had more control over the game from the start.

IF ANYTHING the fault goes to WSE. If you are down 42-13 in a game that you have been getting your butts kicked the entire time and the other team pulls their kids out WHY would you kick onsides and throw the ball with your first team offense?? Some may argue they did that to get back in the game. Well that worked -- all South was doing was sealing the victory after WSE fought all the way back.

I think Keith is way out of line in having any opinion at all -- he was not at the game. He saw the box score and made assumptions.

For the people arguing that records shouldnt be broken in a meaningless 9th game -- you may be right. But if records should count in a game like this then why do the districts pay for officals? why pay for the bus ride? Why does the Section ask coaches BEFORE the season if they would be interested in a 9th or 10th game??

Coach Kurzanski has done alot for the kids at Williamsville South. Are we forgetting they were 2-8 three years ago with many of the same kids?? People argue that they should have done more with the talent they had this year. They may be right -- but what talent do you see?? There are alot of good division 3 players on that team at best a few division 2. They have one maybe two Division 1 kids (Licata and Munschauer). Krempa, Gallagher, Coppola, Ammerman -- these are great kids who are good players but they would not start right away at a division 3 school.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion -- especially the people that were at the game but remember this game is all about the kids. We should be celebrating the season Licata had, and how South overcame alot in the last three years to finish 7-2.

High School Football used to be fun to go watch. Parents are horrible in the stands. If i was an AD i would kick most of them out. What are you teaching your kids by screaming at the coach or the officals?? Some coaches need to get a better hold of their team. Discipline is a huge part of this game -- i didnt see much of it last night or at all this season.

I've ranted enough...bottom line is a game was played last night -- it may not have officially ended -- but in all reality the game was over at 42-13 at midway through the 3rd QTR.

[Milt Latimer]

There way too many angles on this subject, and each has merits for criticism or praise. Let me pose a few.

The ninth game. This is a ninth game that the Section/State allows for teams out of the playoffs. One can argue the intent was for programs to get kids playing more games, especially those returning next year. While guys like Licata and Stasiak will back next year, one could look at South for using this game to develop a backup QB or other players for next year...it doesn't appear South used this game for that end.

The records. I don't know of any athlete that doesn't have goals/records in the back of their head. Given the opportunity to get them, they usually don't run away. On the other hand, Coach Kurzanski sure has put himself in the category or "double standard" after clearly stating during the Will North game that they weren't going to go after the State yardage record.

I'm not buying the "South only passes near the endzone" theory. They have used Krempa running the ball in those situations all season.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct. None of the activity can be condoned. Could it have been averted...probably. Both coaches should take the opportunity to step back and learn what could have been done. West Seneca East could have prepared that South might take a run at the record before the game, and discuss how they would handle themselves should the situation occur. South could have done the sportsmanlike thing and run out the clock with a 2 TD lead in the final couple minutes.

[CrazyHugo]

I know some consider it wrong to make generalizations, but I think the WSE coaches have a hard time controlling their kids who are hotheads. There was at least 1 personal foul near the end of the Iroquois-WSE game last week, and I believe #22 was at the center of that incident. He seemed to be an instigator for a good portion of the game, according to a few Chief players. Since this kid (a Senior) was hardly an angel the week prior, I guess I'd emphasize to the WSE coaches that they have to do something in the future to demonstrate that this type of behavior is unacceptable - assuming the WSE coaches believe that themselves.

[Fran]

I don't care what they did at the goal line. What did they do to get to the goal line? Were they running or passing in those final minutes? The bottom line is they had a 14 point lead. This situation called for running out the clock. If they weren't running out the clock, they were trying to set the record. It has to be one or the other.
Again, I invite you to debate the merits of playing to set that record. I'm sure the case could be made by someone that it was a good thing. But there is no debate on whether it was necessary from a football standpoint. It was not.

[Overtime76]

Fran
If you've paid attention to South all season, its that they throw at the goal line. They haven't been able to punch it in running all season, why would this be different? #7 has had fumble trouble all year, and #2 was exhausted after three straight runs up the middle. Of course they will pass.

For the scorekeepers, #11 and #22 of WSE were probably showing the worst sportsmanship at a HS game I've seen. #70 of South wasn't very classy either, and the south coach kicked off #75. Very poor sportsmanship

[Trip]

It’s hard to understand why this ninth game was even played. When you lose in the playoffs, That’s it, Season over. To use a players stats, in a meaningless contest,to set any type of record is even more ridiculous. Why not use scrimmage stats too?
I’m sure a few more records would fall.

[Fran]

Overtime76
How did South get to 4th and goal? Were they running the ball to run out the clock? I suspect not. If you have the ball late in the game with a 14 point lead, WHY WOULD YOU THROW THE BALL? As Marv Levy used to say, when you throw the ball only three things can happen, and two of them are bad.
I can't believe people are defending this as sound strategy.

[Fran]

WNYFBFAN
It is you being ridiculous. If South was concerned about WSE valiant attempts to come back and win the game, the quickest and easiest way to prevent that is to END THE GAME BY TAKING A KNEE. Throwing in that situation is actually the completely wrong thing to do. You cannot defend throwing the ball at the end of the game as football strategy.
The only reason for throwing was to break a record. Now if you want to debate the merits of that decision, lets do it. But please don't try to say it was sound football. IT WASN'T.

[Overtime76]

It was fourth down, of a 14 point game, in which WSE scored on quick drives the entire fourth quarter and tried onside kicks every time after. South has a passing offense, and for good reason. Licata's a great kid, nobody deserves the records more than him. But, on fourth and goal, why would you take a knee or risk running the ball when you couldn't at all the whole game? If they miss it, do you think WSE is going to run the clock out? Of course not, they're going to try to win. The game was not out of reach, and South certainly did not have it won. Chippiness of the game aside, good call by the South Head coach

[WNYFBFAN]

Sorry about that Denise. I thought Tangelder was a capt. Your son was a warrior to the end. If Tangelder is not a capt. (he was tossed for throwing a punch), then I was incorrect on that one item. my appologies.

[denise]

please take your comment back about a captain being thrown out of the game becauase he is the most sportsman like person you will ever meet

[denise]

first of all no captain was tossed out becauase mine is the captain . so please dont say anything you dont know about

[WNYFBFAN]

In response to earlier questions. The game was incredibly chippy throughout. At least 2 maybe 3 East players were tossed including a capt. The teams were brought to the center of the field with 30 seconds left in the 3rd. and had the riot act read to them by the refs. I had a source real close to the action at the end of the game and he said the player #1 for east was soley responsible for the termination at that time and he said the kids an a---h----. Who knows, but the East coaches were fighting all game to calm down their kids. They implored their kids to stop playing dirty football on many occassions.

[limola]

Couldn't agree with you more Keith-first off i looked in the paper this morning and this game was first game under "consolation bowl"games. From my understanding, this was an extra game after will south lost last week. As i started reading the article, the first thing that popped in mind was throwing the ball up all game to set some records. As i reached the end of the article saying the game was called as it became too "unsportsmanlike" i immediately thought it was because of the way south decided to end the game. Tacky. These actions have a way to come back and bite you one day. Good call Keith- i'm sure there are a lot of others out there that feel the same way!

[Rich Kozak]

...um, "big boy" football is played this Friday and Saturday and has no consolation. Roosevelt's record was in games that counted. Licata's a great kid, though. Two years from now only Milt and Sean Bruso will know anyway. I doubt he'll get an asterisk, too.

Also, lighten up everyone. This is HS Football!!! Actually, WNY HS Football. Pretty low level as the country goes. Take it in stride.

Also, the News is doing a great job with the extra coverage. You want to complain, go back to the mid 80's and read a few newspapers. We have it pretty good in WNY.

[Norton]

What was the activity that caused the game to be ended early? Did fights break out? Pushing and shoving? How extreme was it? Was it all in response to the last td or on-going throughout the game?

I could see this one either way. Up 14, 1 minute to go, take a knee. But, last game, record on the line, not a blowout over a completely out manned team, throwing sounds more risky (int for td puts WSE right back in it)than running it up.

[WNYFBFAN]

I was at the game in question and a few other South games and I dont have any problem at all with the decisions South made. Keith Mcsheas comments were ridiculous to say the least. You know a writers comments are going to be in poor taste when they start out with 4 or 5 qualifiers first. The game in question was a 14 point game. Not a 45 point game. South had many chances in prior games that they could have broken records and sat Licata for whole halves in some instances. Mcshea has to realize this was the last game for the seniors. These were 2 playoff teams. East was 5-3 and not some 0-7 team that couldnt play. Bill Fildes the terrific capt. of East had just scored two long TD's and East attempted 2 on side kicks after each..Why was that Mcshea ? BECAUSE East thought they could win with their quick strike attack. If you dont want your opponent throwing on you, dont kick on sides. By the way if you watch Souths offense , they throw. For all intents and purpose they dont have a running attack. The Licata kid is a wonderful humble kid. He set the WNY TD record in 9 games. (Roosevelt had 10). Mcshea's misguided and pathetic attempt to minimize and ruin a great kids record and season can not be allowed to happen.The Buffalo News has sunk to a new low..GROW UP , this is big boy football.

[Fran]

If you have the lead and the ball with a minute to play, you take a knee. That is true at any level of football.
If you pass simply to break a record, then you must deal with the justifiable criticism. Don't defend it, own it!