Numbering exception

[centexsports]

In a playoff game I watched Friday night.  Visiting team did not have enough 50 to 79 so 99 played tackle.  In the grand scheme of things, not catastrophic.
Would you just ignore (after telling the other coach)?

[Legacy Zebra]

In a playoff game? Not a chance. Find a jersey to put on him or put in the back up. You're telling me a school only has 4 ineligible number jerseys? No way.

[TexDoc]

In a playoff game? Not a chance. Find a jersey to put on him or put in the back up. You're telling me a school only has 4 ineligible number jerseys? No way.

I agree.  Don't allow it.

[Kalle]

I've asked coaches who do this but have never received a satisfactory answer as to why a player could not simply switch jerseys if he usually plays an eligible offensive position but sometimes needs to switch to an ineligible position... even here in Finland all teams do have more than five jerseys numbered 50-79.

[centexsports]

For clarification.   I ran the clock for this game.   The team is a small 2a school and it was 100+ miles from home.   For some reason there was not enough 50 - 79 jerseys at the field.   Under the circumstances, I might have made the same decision with the opposing coach's acceptance.   

I was just wondering how many would not have any latitude.

[TexDoc]

For clarification.   I ran the clock for this game.   The team is a small 2a school and it was 100+ miles from home.   For some reason there was not enough 50 - 79 jerseys at the field.   Under the circumstances, I might have made the same decision with the opposing coach's acceptance.   

I was just wondering how many would not have any latitude.

Never say never, but it seems they should have someone on the bench, or perhaps hurt, that could give up a jersey.  It would be tough to say absolutely no way in the situation you have described. 

[Kalle]

If you (and the opposing coach) are convinced that the team really only has four valid jerseys (maybe they started out with only five and one got torn so badly that it is unusable) then I'd make an exception, depending on the level of play (and from what I understand of the Texas levels, this game sounds like it would qualify, playoff or not). If they have only five, I would allow for some extra time every now and then for them to be able to substitute linemen during long offensive drives, if needed.

[clearwall]

You dont have a DL playing with an ineligible number that could switch? I only allow this sort of thing in middle school football.

[BIGHOSSREF]

I think the R should have made the coach have the player change jersey number and announce to the other coach they have a jersey change or gave a couple five yard penalties out. to many officials try to not upset the coaches by letting small uniform things slide, illegal jerseys, knee pads, and so on. this how ever creates an issue with eligible receivers and ineligible down field.

[psv]

I think the R should have made the coach have the player change jersey number and announce to the other coach they have a jersey change or gave a couple five yard penalties out. to many officials try to not upset the coaches by letting small uniform things slide, illegal jerseys, knee pads, and so on. this how ever creates an issue with eligible receivers and ineligible down field.

To use a fishing analogy, there are some we throw back.  Why, because they arent big enough.  We dont call holding on every play even though its there because it doesnt affect the play/game.  To me this seems like one of those we should throw back and be accommodating on.

If there was no other option (and I would certainly explore all the options mentioned previously in this thread first), then I would inform the coaches, the player is ineligible by position.  I would then inform his coach (99's coach) that if he is downfield on a pass play, it is 15 for unfair tactics and not 5 for ineligible downfield.   I think that is an equitable compromise for this.

but, that is my .02 worth...