They went from euphoria to heartbreak in less than two minutes.
The ECS Elecs had their first win of the year taken away from them on Saturday in Moose Jaw, and the video appears to back them up.
On third and goal from the 10, Central Cyclones quarterback Parker Chow went to Jonah Branning, who already had three touchdowns on the day, in the end zone.
As the ball arrived, Elecs defensive back Riley Meshke tried to wrestle it out of Branning's hands.
The two basically engaged in a tug of war before Meshke finally succeeded in knocking the ball loose.
Elecs head coach Mark Schott sent me the video of the play on Monday. It's taken from the stands, so it's not a great angle, and it's a little bit fuzzy. On the first play through at regular speed, it was hard to tell whether Branning had control of the ball.
However, when I played it frame by frame, it was clear that he didn't. Neither player had control of the ball.
When it came loose and dropped to the ground, Branning reacted in disappointment rather than in protest, suggesting he didn't think he had control either.
The referee nearest to the play signalled touchdown as soon as the ball arrived. Afterward, the officials congregated and upheld the ruling on the field.
Some Elecs players are claiming the other three officials said it was incomplete, which begs the question: why was it ruled otherwise?
Either way, the video doesn't lie. Schott has sent it to the Moose Jaw High School Football League and registered a complaint.
There is a belief among some coaches that the Moose Jaw teams have received favourable officiating at home, and the play on Saturday only solidifies that notion.
Another issue that grates with coaches is that if the league final is between a Moose Jaw team and an out of town team, the game will be held in Moose Jaw regardless of the teams' placement in the standings.
The league also crams in games like sardines toward the end of the year, with teams playing games five days apart. That hardly seems in the best interests of player safety.
So, I say to the decision makers of the Moose Jaw High School Football League: get one right for a change.
Give the rightful winners their due in the standings.
Overturn the winning touchdown in Saturday's game and award the ECS Elecs the win.
