After Further Review: Ridiculous!

That video may very well be the only evidence that allows senior T.J Peeler to play in Broad Run's first playoff game three weeks from now.

By now you have probably heard the rumblings that star tailback T.J Peeler was ejected from the game, despite only carrying the ball one time for 65 yards. And that one carry was also good for a touchdown. But the story wasn't the five touchdowns Broad Run put up in the first half, but the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties the Spartans received after every score.

For doing what, you ask?

Celebrating with each other in a manner in which every team celebrates. High fives, chest bumps, pretty typical stuff. However, on this Halloween weekend, one officiating crew decided that celebrating was against the rules, and made some serious errors in judgment.

The first touchdown was on the first play from scrimmage for Broad Run, and Joey Quigg made a terrific catch in traffic, and an even better run after hauling it in to score. When he finished giving the ball back to the official, Quigg turned to his teammates and jumped in the air, colliding with Taylor Evans.

That immediately called one official into action, throwing a penalty at the feet of Quigg. Our video coverage was the most expansive because we never stop recording on the tape, and it shows every Broad Run player baffled at the call, and in total shock. Evans, who is as big as a house, but one of the nicest and most polite kids you'll meet, was genuinely concerned about why there was a penalty thrown.

Broad Run has celebrated in this manner since I've been watching them, and it has never been penalized once. In fact, I've seen just about every team I've covered this year do the same thing after scoring, and it has yet to be called a penalty.

After two more scores, two more flags come out. Each time, a simply harmless celebration with teammates draws the same penalty, and the storyline continues to develop. Peeler finally had his number called on the Spartan 35-yard line, and after a highlight reel jaunt to the end-zone, another flag comes out.

Peeler did visibly put his arm up on this run as he crossed the goal line as if to say his team was #1, and in the rule book, that is considered excessive celebration. However, Peeler's penalty wasn't the only one called, another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was thrown by the head official as well. This time, the bench was flagged for arguing the call.

At one point, one of the officials told the Broad Run staff that more than five players and a coach were on the verge of being ejected if they didn't stop celebrating on the sideline by chest bumping each other. Imagine the look on Michael Burnett's face when he was informed of that one.

 If you have followed Michael Burnett's program at all, you may be aware that Burnett does not allow cursing, nor does he or his staff ever demean another opponent, or the officials. They work extremely hard to make sure the score never gets out of hand, and that their players always play the game right, without taunting.

That is why this exhibition from this officiating crew is so disappointing.

I've watched the plays over and over, and I've yet to see a reason for a penalty, or a reason to threaten any player or coach with ejection.

Instead of the headlines being about Broad Run's 30th straight victory in the regular season, and third straight undefeated regular season, the media is writing about the officials, and that is a shame.

After the game, a dejected T.J Peeler wasn't allowed to celebrate another fantastic performance because this crew took that away. He was worried about whether or not he was going to be able to play in Broad Run's first playoff game, which just by coincidence, is their next game.

Connor Jessop had a big night, tossing four touchdowns in the win, but the sophomore quarterback wasn't featured in print, or online on Saturday. You had to read a few paragraphs before his performance was mentioned.

Broad Run will surely appeal this grotesque misuse of the flag, but even if Peeler's one game suspension is overturned, does it give the Spartans back what was taken away from them on Friday night?

It is hard to go undefeated in a regular season on any level, and to do it in three consecutive years is barely heard of across the state. To have that become secondary behind a controversy that should have never happened, is disappointing for the kids, and for the integrity of the game.

The worst part is, T.J Peeler's image will be somewhat tarnished after putting together a tremendous senior season thus far. He is a great kid, and he deserves better than what some will think about this story. I can attest to Peeler's sportsmanship, because in every game I've seen this year, he has rarely shown much emotion at all when he scores, except with his teammates.

He hands the ball to the official, and then celebrates with his buddies, never taunting or demeaning an opponent. He's quiet in nature, and a hard-working kid. But those around the state may read about this, and think otherwise. That is the real shame in this story, and that is why this column is necessary.

Granted, not all of the officials deserve the criticism, but it would have only taken one to stand up and tell the others that making not one, not two, not three, but four calls equally as bad, was a mistake.

Hopefully, those in charge will make a great call, and overturn Peeler's ejection.