Heritage’s appeal of Friday’s 13-10 controversial overtime loss at Leo was heard by the state’s high school sports governing body.
Jason Wille, the IHSAA’s sports information director, confirmed Monday that assistant commissioner Robert Faulkens was in contact with the Heritage administration, but the IHSAA hadn’t received any game film as of early Monday afternoon.
Wille said, though, it probably won’t change the result of the game.
“If it’s received, the film can be reviewed and can affect the officials’ eligibility for the state tournament but it cannot, by rule, be used to change the outcome of the game,” Wille said by email Monday.
Heritage football coach Dean Lehrman said he understands the IHSAA rules on officials’ calls being absolute.
“That’s pretty much what we expected to happen,” the veteran coach said by email Monday. “I have been around long enough to have heard that the ‘decisions of the officials are final and binding’ – even when those decisions are so clearly wrong.
“We, of course, feel we have a sound, compelling argument for a 10-7 Patriot victory in regulation play and that the additional time put back on the clock should never have happened.”
To recap, the Patriots had a 10-7 lead and tackled Leo quarterback Sam Waters in the waning seconds. The Lions rushed to snap the ball before time expired, bringing out penalty flags. Heritage (4-2) contends the game should have ended right then, but Lehrman said the game officials told him another play had to be run with a second put back on the clock.
Class 4A No. 2 Leo (5-0) got a game-tying 35-yard field goal from Zach Ferran, who later converted a 33-yard game-winner in overtime.
“I will continue to instill in our players the importance of fair play, playing by the rules, and doing what is right,” Lehrman said. “I have always firmly believed that all human beings know the difference between right and wrong. It is somehow very sad that many adults just don’t get it – when it comes to being an appropriate role model for our youth.”
Justin A. Cohn of The Journal Gazette contributed to this story.
