(EDITOR’S NOTE: Since May of 1999, the Times News Sports Department has featured an On This Date practically every day, highlighting an event that happened in the past. With the coronavirus putting a halt to sports locally and nationally, the On This Dates have been expanded to the stories that actually ran in the next day’s newspaper. Today’s On This Date story is from July 20, 1995).

By JOE PLASKO

TIMES NEWS Staff

The option of a tie as an official varsity football outcome has been banished by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The PIAA, the governing body for scholastic sports in the commonwealth, has approved the use of the National Federation’s tiebreaking procedure for regular season football games, beginning this season.

The procedure, in which each team gets four downs to score from the opposing 10-yard line, had already been in place for the PIAA grid playoffs. In fact, one of last year’s title games, Mount Carmel’s 20-14 victory over Forest Hills for the Class AA crown, was decided in this manner. In double overtime, no less.

“It certainly adds some excitement to the game,” admitted Mount Carmel coach Dave “Whitey” Williams.

The tiebreaker for regular season play was adopted by the PIAA Board of Control at the recommendation of the PIAA Athletic Director’s Steering Committee. The tiebreaker is for varsity games only and does not involve junior varsity, freshman or junior high games.

“It was approved by the Athletic Directors by an 11-1 vote, and it was nearly unanimous by the Board of Control in its vote Thursday,” said Brad Cashman, PIAA Executive Director.

The procedure begins with a two-minute timeout at the end of regulation. A coin is then flipped, with the visiting captain making the call. The winner of the toss chooses offense or defense; the loser selects the direction of play.

The team on offense will get four tries to score a touchdown or a field goal from the opponent’s 10-yard line, unless loss of possession occurs. If a change of possession occurs, the defensive club will start at the other team’s 10-yard line.

Field goals are permitted on any down.

The team with the most points after each side has had its four downs to score will be declared the winner. In the event that a deadlock remains, the procedure is repeated.

All points scored in overtime will be added to the final tally.

The addition of overtime for the regular season is a pleasant surprise for most area coaches.

“This is the first I’ve heard about it,” said Northern Lehigh coach Jim Tkach. “I tend to go for the win when it’s ted anyway. I don’t think anybody likes to play for a tie.”

The overtime procedure will add a whole new dimension to coaching strategies in tight games.

“It’ll be interesting to see how coaches react to the situation,” said Palmerton coach Manny Guedes, whose team suffered both of its losses by one point last season.

“I’m pleased with the change, because it gives an opportunity for a team to win a ballgame. Coaches will be able to decide what they want to do, but they’re also going to have to give it some real thought.”

While most coaches disdain deadlocks, there are times when a tie can be a moral victory.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Marian coach Stan Dick. “Generally, I favor the rule, because with most ties, nobody goes away happy. This should add a little more excitement for the fans.

“It all depends where you’re at with the tie. If you’re down 21 points and come back, then your kids have worked hard to get that tie.”

Marian plays the majority of its games on Saturday afternoons, and the possibility of overtime will play a role in how the Colts prepare.

“It adds another element as far as conditioning,” explained Dick. “With afternoon games in September, sometimes the temperature can be in the 90s. Having an extra session under those conditions will be interesting.”

There is no time limit involved, since the teams will go at it, using the four-down scenarios, until a winner emerges.

The elimination of ties will also affect playoff races. It’ll certainly make computing the Eastern Conference and District 11 ratings easier.

“With ties gone, it’ll be helpful for District committees in determining their qualifiers for the (PIAA) playoffs,” admitted Cashman. “It’ll give those committees a better read as to who should go and who should stay home.”

“Now that we have a 10-game schedule (instead of 11), it should be something that’s beneficial,” added Williams.

Since a tie is no longer an option, coaches must decide whether to win in regulation or take their chances in overtime.

“There’s a lot more involved than just flipping a coin,” related Williams. “It’s a rule I thought I had a pretty good handle on going into the (championship) game, but there’s a lot to consider. Sometimes it might not go the way you want it.”

“It’s like the two-minute drill,” added Tkach. “That’s something you work on every week. Now, you have to work from the 10-yard line as well. It’s something we already work on.”