George Guido: Plum football’s game at Hempfield takes on larger significance

By: George Guido
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 | 11:09 PM

Plum’s football game at Hempfield on Oct. 25 now is a conference game — kind of.

The change is part of necessary tweaking with the WPIAL Class 5A playoff qualification criteria.

The change was necessitated by Albert Gallatin leaving the WPIAL, which left Class 5A with 23 teams competing for 16 playoff spots.

The top five teams in each of three conferences qualify, along with a wild-card team.

If there’s a tie for the wild card, or the best sixth-place team in 5A, tiebreaker steps will be employed.

Tiebreakers will be based on seven conference games in two of the conferences.

Overall record is the first criteria, followed by Gardner Points, point differential and nonconference games played against other 5A teams.

In Plum’s case, the Mustangs don’t have a nonconference game against a 5A school.

So Plum will use the game against Class 6A Hempfield if a fourth tiebreaker is needed.

The fifth step is a coin flip.

Plum’s other nonconference game is against Class 4A Belle Vernon.

As for filling the vacancy on the schedule caused by Albert Gallatin’s departure, the Mustangs will host Weir from Weirton, W.Va., on Oct. 4.

Soccer rules changes

Rules related to improperly equipped players and procedures for dropping the ball are among eight rules changes in high school soccer for this season.

The rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations soccer rules committee at its January meeting and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

An improperly equipped player will not require teams to play short-handed. The improperly equipped player will be asked to leave the field when the ball is not in play. If the issue cannot be resolved immediately on the field, then the player can be replaced.

Once the offending player is properly equipped, he or she can report to an official. If the player was not replaced, he or she may re-enter the game at a dead ball. Infringement of the rule will not cause the game to be stopped unless a referee determines the situation is dangerous.

The rule was changed because the penalty for an improperly equipped player was more severe than the punishment for illegal equipment. The rule change ensures both infractions are handled equally.

With regard to dropping the ball, any number of players — including the goalkeeper — can contest a dropped ball, and the referee cannot decide who may contest a dropped ball or determine its outcome.

Chip is back

Springdale will have a familiar face on the sidelines this season as Chip Moyes will be an assistant to coach Seth Napierkowski.

Moyes, 73, has been coaching in the A-K Valley for 39 years, making stops at Burrell and even rival Valley along the way. He also has coached with the Lower Burrell Flyers youth program.

Moyes, known for wearing shorts during games, even in frigid conditions, will coach the Dynamos linemen.

Tags: Plum, Springdale