GHSA Football Championships May Require Instant Replay

A questionable call during the Georgia High School Association’s football championships has pushed state lawmakers to pursue a bill requiring GHSA football championships to use instant replay.

When Cedar Grove High School and Sandy Creek met in the championship game last month, played at Georgia State University’s Center Parc Credit Union Stadium, two big plays in the second half went against Cedar Grove and cost them a title.

A recent article from 11alive.com detailed how the events of this year’s football championships may push the GHSA to install instant replay in future years.

Below is an excerpt from the 11alive.com article.

“We have the technology available, readily available. ‘Why not use it?'” asked Alice Malcom, a Cedar Grove alum, and booster who was in the stands.

Now she’s supporting a bill that would require any high school, funded by the state, to use instant replay in a high school championship game. The bill is sponsored by a former NFL player, State Representative Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge) said.

“I’m not blaming the officials for what has gone on. But…  you have another set of eyes that you can use,” Rep. Douglas said.

In December 2017, an apparent blown call cost Peach County High School a football championship against Calhoun High School. Replays showed a player catching a pass, taking two stops, and losing the ball when he slapped the ball into the end zone as he was tackled. Referees ruled the pass incomplete.

While it’s commonplace in pro and college games, replay is still spotty in high school games. The Georgia High School Association Director spoke about its challenges following the controversial championship game last month.

“There’s a lot that goes into video review. Operationally, ‘How does it go, what are the angles? Do you have the technology?;” Dr. Robin Hines told reporters last month in response to a question about last month’s game.

Hines added that Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which will host next year’s championship games, will have the technology for referees to use replays.

To read the full story from 11alive.com, click here.