Littlefield On Sports: Menino Calls Foul On Controversial Call

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP_mCEP-1z0

So when is a victory, not a victory.  The Cathedral High School football team is learning that defeat can easily be snatched from the jaws of victory by a referee.

That's what happened to Cathedral High School on Saturday in the state Super Bowl game.  Quarterback Matt Owens was sprinting toward the end-zone for a touchdown that would have put his team ahead with little time remaining on the clock, when he raised his left arm in celebration for two strides.

That gesture prompted a referee to flag him for unsportsmanlike conduct. The score was negated, and minutes later, Cathedral lost to Blue Hills High, 16-14. Players were upset. Parents were upset, and so too was Boston Mayor Tom Menino.

"I think sometimes these rules are written by frustrated athletes," the mayor said on a visit to Cathedral High School. "This kid was 18 years old, his birthday, running for the Super Bowl championship. You wouldn’t be a human being if you didn’t show some expression."

Mayor Menino called Cathedral winners anyway, and has invited the team to a victory lunch. But was the official correct. Was the play unsportsmanlike? Only A Game’s Bill Littlefield will be in the studio to share his take on the call.

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