Decisions were easier 43 years ago
It was certainly a lot easier in 1969. High School football coaches didn't have to think much about extra-point attempts. You went for one point -- and they'd either run it, pass it or kick it. Oh, it was so simple back in the day.
However, 43 years ago the National Federation of High Schools, the governing body of interscholastic athletics, added an option to the extra-point attempts in football games. They gave coaches the option to try for a two-point conversion.
Mayhem! Confusion! Indecision! Stress!
So what's the point? Do you go for one or two with the game on the line? Do coaches agonize over such decisions? Sure do.
Well, through the first few weeks of the season we've seen two coaches go for the gusto.
Two weeks ago, Sachem North coach Dave Falco watched his team squander a huge lead against Bay Shore. The Marauders scored first and took a 62-55 overtime lead before North answered with a touchdown to get within 62-61. Falco never wavered ordering his team to go for two and the win. He was rewarded when Trent Crossan scored on the two-point conversion run for a 63-62 victory.
"Never a doubt," he said. "I wanted it over."
Saturday, in an epic battle of CHSFL powers, undefeated Chaminade erased a 17-point deficit and trailed St. Anthony's 24-23 with 1:15 left in the game. Flyers coach Stephen Boyd called timeout.
So what was on the line for Boyd and his Flyers? An undefeated season, the end of a 17-game losing streak to St. Anthony's that spanned 13 years and an immediate surge of gratification and confidence.
Boyd went for two. No hesitation. No second guessing.
Chaminade was stopped.
"I believe in my guys and I'd do it again," Boyd said.
