Head Games Foil Canyon Springs

When you are dealing with the NIAA State Playoffs, you know you can expect one thing. Expect the unbelievable to take place. Del Sol defeated Canyon Springs in the Sunrise Semi Finals 28-24. But, the story was the decision by Referee Chris Bibbins not to allow All State QB Devonte Christopher to come back into the game after being sent to the sideline after a hard sack. We got answers on this.

In the first half of the Canyon Springs - Del Sol matchup, Christopher was slammed to the turf on a hard sack. From reports from the leadership of the Southern Nevada Officials Association, Christopher appeared wobbly getting up as he went to the sideline.

Christopher then went back into the game on the next series and was told by Referee Chris Bibbins that he was not to be allowed back in the game until he had Doctors note clearing him to play. This sent Head Coach Matt Jenkins into orbit, as he could not believe that he was hearing a Referee tell him if his athlete was able to play or not.

Christopher is a special player. He has already gone on recruiting trips to Colorado, Nebraska and Stanford already. With a style much like Vince Young, he has been an offensive powerhouse for the Pioneers. So losing him in such a key game is a critical loss.

I talked to the Head of the Southern Nevada Officials Association Marc Ratner and got some explanation regarding the ruling on the field by the Referee in this contest. The NIAA has in their rule book, that if a player suffers an injury that is dealing with head trauma, that a Doctor must clear the player before he is allowed to re enter the game. Bibbins made the decision that when Christopher got up wobbly from the hit, that he potentially faced a form of head trauma. "The liability is just too great. While you can have trainers at the game clear a player, a Doctor must clear the athlete" said Ratner.

When asked about the fact that most High School games do not have Doctors present and that only Trainers or EMT might be present, Ratner explained "Only a Doctor has the ability to clear the player. Maybe the schools might want to have one present at future games."

Coach Jenkins went as far to say in quotes after the game that the Referee must have went to "Fantasy Land University and that he should not be the one to play Doctor to athletes".

Canyon Springs over their PA System called out for a Doctor to visit the Canyon Springs sideline, not knowing if one was present at the game. A Doctor eventually came out from the Del Sol sideline and visited Christopher clearing him to play in the 4th quarter. There is question as it regards to how fast Christopher was able to get back into the game with Bibbins accepting the Doctors clearance. That will be reviewed as well as the entire game report by Ratner early this week.

"The issue involves the safety of the players" said Ratner.

Del Sol will take on Las Vegas who upset previously undefeated Silverado 12-7, beating a flat Skyhawks team. Winner will be heading North to take on the North Champion on Thanksgiving weekend.

In the Sunset, Gorman exploded in the 2nd Half to remain the team to beat with a 43-20 win over Cimarron. They will take on Cheyenne who beat Spring Valley 28-20

Palo Verde learned from lessons in Week 1 of the regular season to beat Sierra Vista 28-0. They will take on the very dangerous Western Warriors who played with out UNLV recruit Phillip Payne (who was ejected in the last minute of the final regular season game last week vs Gorman) 46-29.

In the North, Galena looks to repeat as North Champion with a solid win over Reno 31-24. They will take on the top team in the North this season, McQueen. The Lancers beat Reed 20-16. McQueen will host this matchup with the winner hosting the Sunrise Champ Thanksgiving weekend.