Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 10/04/1996
Page: P4B

Byline: RICK RYAN

Expect some repercussions soon from last week's fifth-down furor at
the Nitro-Ripley game.

Warren Carter, the executive secretary of the Secondary School
Activities Commission, had a meeting in Charleston Thursday with
Ripley coach Frank Marino and the six-man officiating crew that worked
the game.

Nitro was inadvertently granted an extra down during its final series,
allowing the Wildcats to score on the last play for a 20-18 victory.

Carter didn't want to comment on the outcome of the meeting.
"Nothing's finalized,' he said.

"I can't say anything until I officially notify people.'

But earlier this week, Carter seemed to indicate what was ahead.

"If you'll recall, that [fifth-down controversy] happened in a
Division I game a few years ago,' he said, citing the
Colorado-Missouri game in 1990. "What happened in that situation was
they penalized the officials. Officials have some responsibility in
that area, too.'

The officiating crew in that college contest was suspended for one
game.

Carter, in his 11th year with the SSAC, said he cannot recall a
similar fifth-down debate ever happening before in a high school game.