The buzz around high school football is “40-25.” That is, the UIL’s implementation for the 2014 season of a 40-second play clock, in addition to the 25-second play clock that had been the norm.
In the past, a 25-second play clock would start as soon as the official set down the ball between plays. Now, a 40-second play clock will immediately start at the conclusion of the previous play.
If there is a dead ball, or an official or team calls a timeout, the following play will begin with 25 seconds on the play clock.
“It favors the offense more than the defense,” Edcouch-Elsa coach Joe Marichalar said. “Our coaches know that. The obstacle will be defensive substitutions and not having as much time to do that. But we were told if guys make a strong effort to get off the field and are not slacking, there won’t be a flag. They’ll respect that. But if they’re slacking, it will be a violation.”
The Yellowjackets are a team reliant upon running the ball, grinding out games. But Marichalar does not see the rule forcing more traditionally schematic teams to play faster.
“It won’t change people’s mentality, as far as game-planning,” Marichalar said. “You’ll still do what puts the kids in best position to succeed. It may cause headaches here and there, but once we get the gist of it we’ll be fine. It won’t be a problem.”
Weslaco High, for instance, is known for its slot-T running attack. And while the new rule figures to favor uptempo offenses, Panthers coach Tony Villarreal is not the least bit concerned.
“We were running a fast-tempo offense before fast became the thing,” Villarreal said. “Back in the old days, everybody used to huddle 10 yards, then sprint to the ball and snap. Not us. We would huddle five yards from the ball and keep going at them to wear them down. Run it down their throats.”
Villarreal said the change may affect those who are undisciplined offensively.
“I think where it will most affect guys is first-year coaches, or coaches who struggle with play-calling, trying to be sneaky, too creative with personnel,” he said. “It probably comes down to your experience in play-calling.”
Mission High coach Mario Peña, who has built a reputation off his strong, dominant defenses, agrees that play-calling will be vital.
“It’s like going against a no-huddle offense every game,” Peña said. “Defensively, we won’t huddle. Our kids will know our defensive calls and know their job. The way the offense picks up calls from the sideline, we’ll do the same defensively. I’ve always practiced against no-huddle defenses and going against fast offenses, and ultimately this comes down to practice and repetition. Getting kids ready.”
Sharyland coach Ron Adame and Mission Veterans Memorial coach David Gilpin, each of whom run fast, uptempo offenses, agree that the rule favors fast offenses and hinders defenses.
Adame, however, noted the fast-paced teams may want to have ball boys on both sidelines now, instead of just their own, to make sure the ball is put in play quicker. Teams may even go as far as to make sure the ball boys are older and understand how significant their job has become.
“You will need a football to be in play ASAP,” Adame said. “The change creates situations with more consistency in crews putting ball in play.”
Gilpin said the rule will force officials to set the ball and get out of the way quicker. It will put more emphasis on the selection of officials. Valley officiating crews have a reputation for not setting the ball in a timely manner. Coaches of fast-paced teams in the past have specifically looked for officials that cooperate with their preferred style.
“Because of some of the crews we’ve had that take a while getting the ball set, this is going to help us,” Gilpin said. “We’re no NASCAR offense, but we are trying to be uptempo. Without a doubt, this rule change will be able to accomplish that. It will force officials to get the ball set and get out of the way quicker.”
So, the consensus? Good for offenses, not great for defenses, puts more of an onus on the officials. Only time will tell.
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2014-15 UIL RULE CHANGES
FOOTBALL
• Implementation of the 40-second play clock in addition to the 25-second play clock.
• Allow sub-varsity teams in Conferences 5A and 6A to play on Wednesday of week one only if the varsity has a Thursday game that same week.
CROSS COUNTRY
• Increase the number of qualifiers to the top four teams and top ten individuals (who are not already on the advancing teams) from the regional meet to the state meet.
TRACK & FIELD
• Allow coaches to coach their players from tee to green.