Neshoba Central to file complaint with MHSAA

Neshoba Central Athletic Director Tommy Holland said the school district would file a report with the Mississippi High School Activities Association concerning the game officials during the Rockets’ North State championship game at West Point last Friday night.

West Point won the game, 20-14. Neshoba Central’s season ended with their first loss.

The most apparent concern involves the final 10 seconds of the game when football rules were not followed, school officials said. 

After a completed pass, instead of stopping the clock to reset the chain, the clock was allowed to continue to run out. The Rockets should have had one or two plays left before the buzzer.

“West Point played a heck of a game,” Holland said. “We aren’t saying they did anything wrong. It was two great programs playing in a championship game.

“Our plan was to snap the ball, down it, and have a play or two left. At least we would have had a chance. Things happened, and we have moved past it.”

Holland said the report would show the quality of the officiating crew involving calls on both sides in a championship game. Afterward, the MHSAA can deal with the officials as they see fit.

“We aren’t going to protest,” Holland said. “They aren’t going to turn the game around. We are going to address the problems with the activities association.

“I have sent an email to let them know it is coming. We are going to get some film and questions together and put on official letterhead.”

Holland said the report would be sent sometime this week. He didn’t know when he would hear from the MHSAA. They are in Hattiesburg this week with the state championship games at Southern Miss.

MHSAA did not return messages seeking comment for this story by press time.