Plainfield North's Football Win Was Result of Officiating Error

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield North’s win Saturday was the result of an officiating error, according to the Illinois High School Association

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a statement that on the final play of the fourth quarter in Saturday's IHSA Class 7A Semifinal Football game between Fenwick High School and Plainfield North High School, “an error was made by the officiating crew, which resulted in an untimed down being awarded to Plainfield North.”

On the untimed down, Plainfield North tied the game with a field goal and then went on to win the game in overtime, according to the statement. Per Rule 3-3-4 in the 2016 NFHS Football Rules Book, the game should have concluded on the final play of regulation and the untimed down should not have been awarded.

IHSA by-law 6.033 states that “the decisions of game officials shall be final; protests against the decision of a game official shall not be reviewed by the Board of Directors,” according to the statement.

Given that rule, the contest result shall remain final with Plainfield North advancing to the Class 7A State Championship.

“On behalf of the IHSA, I express my sincerest apologies to Coach Nudo and his players and coaching staff, as well as to the entire Fenwick administration and community,” Anderson said. “I understand that it will be difficult to find a silver lining in this particular situation, but I do hope that Fenwick takes pride in all they accomplished today and this season.

“There is no doubt that the crew assigned to officiate this contest by the IHSA should have known this rule and they were forthcoming about the error in conversations after the game. The crew also understands that there will be an assessment of their performance and consequences from the IHSA as a result of this error.”

It is unknown if Plainfield North can or will forfeit the win and hand it to Fenwick. As of now, Plainfield North will still play in the Class 7A State Championship.

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