How many games have you watched as a formerref?
First off I was not at the Swansea-Airport game last night, but have seen them play before...Airport at the VC and Swansea in the playoffs in 2009. It sounds like to me that you are a little aggravated with people always pointing fingers at the referees. Which is the case more often then not, however more often then not it is the referee that could make or break a game. Maybe not for this game, but I have seen my share of a few. Irmo vs. South Aiken boys 2005 state championship match; the referee cost Irmo the state championship by not declaring a goal when the ball clearly crossed the goal line (there once was posted video footage). Last year in the Carolina Classic a ref allowed 6 minutes of extra time to be added to a match that was the difference in a tie and win for BC over Fort Dorchester. I could keep going, but I'm not. The point is refs make bad calls all the time, some worse then others. Now don’t get me wrong I will be the first one to vouch for a referee, because I was a “former ref” myself. Its hard work and two even three people can’t see everything, but an apology or explanation can go quite a ways especially during a heated battle. Also consistency will only be gained if we as a state require more from our refs. A lousy “open book” test and two scrimmages just doesn’t cut it. Life guards have to know how to swim, tread water and give CPR in order to save lives; shouldn’t referees be required to run and keep up with the play during a match.
Another thing… “unbiased” is the worst adjective used for a referee; there are more ex-coahces, ex-players and ex-parents out there referring games that were once bitter rivalry games they were involved in. Once a Carolina fan always a Carolina fan. One day you’re not going to wake up and scream, C-L-E-M-S-O-N (unless you are Brad Scott
)! Same thing is true with Irmo, Dutch Fork, Riverside, Eastside. People once affiliated with certain teams should not ref games for those teams or regions games for that particular school.
I’m off my soap box now, carry on!!!
For what its worth; I was a little disappointed with the Swansea score however, not taking anything away from Airport solid victory on their part. Seeing Swansea play last year I thought they could be a real threat in region 5 given every other team lost key contributors. Kudos to Coach Morris who obviously had his girls ready to play.