Is it Time for Instant Replay in GHSA State Championships?

Another spectacular season of high school football is in the books for the state of Georgia. There was excitement, drama, heartbreak, and celebration to be had across the state. Congratulations to all the young men and women that participate in the greatest game and make Georgia the top state for high school football talent.

However, one thing became very clear in the state championship round a few weeks ago – Georgia must become the next state to add replay to their state championship games.

States like Alabama, Illinois and Michigan have had replay for all state title games for several years now. NFHS allowed for high school football to start using replay back in 2018, but it is currently banned in the state of Georgia.

By now, most have seen what transpired on December 10th between Cedar Grove and Sandy Creek. On third and goal, with a minute left and the Saints up 17-14 over Sandy Creek, corner Ricky Lee made a goal line stop at the one-yard line. Instead of getting to line up and do it again on fourth down, a side judge threw both his hands up signaling a touchdown for the Patriots.

In a video posted all over social media, replay would have shown the call was egregiously incorrect and both teams would have had to line up for a 4th and goal call to determine the GHSA AAA crown.

In 2022 with all the technology available and the ease in which technology is consumed and deciphered, it is absurd that a state as talent rich as Georgia isn’t leading the way with available technology in state championship games.

Officials are human and will make mistakes, but it’s the place of governing bodies like GHSA to put relevant policies in place in hopes being able to eliminate human error and allow championship games to be determined by the hard-working kids in the trenches.

See the video here.  Share your thoughts in the comments.

Interesting view of the Sandy Creek winning TD, what do you think??

Via @weballsports @tiktok_us pic.twitter.com/VR7a0QHhZC

— Born to Compete™ (@borntocompete) December 10, 2022