The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:35 PM

Hardin Valley Football Ref Throws Flag On Son During Game, Gets Heat From The Stands

"This is something that he loves and is very passionate about," Larry Schofield said about his son, a high school football player.

Passion bled through every member of the Denton family Thursday night at the Hardin Valley game. They've cheered their son on the gridiron since he was little.

But when a refs make a bad call, some parents get upset.

"We're all human, we all make mistakes," Schofield said.

"Remember, parents always have a vested interest: their child," Harold Denton, a former referee said. "Officials have another vested interest, the kids playing the ball game and the rules -- and trying to put those together."

Officials said most parents watched high school, college, and professional games, but the rules are all different.

"Does that keep people confused?" Denton asked. "Sure does. And it just exacerbates the problem."

Most officials are taught one simple rule when things get heated.

"Most officials just simply ignore it," Denton said.

There was nothing to ignore at the Hardin Valley game, as there were no problems on the field.


"It's a very tight game, and this is the game they're going to have to win to go to the playoffs," Schofield said.

Some refs said parents think their kids are being picked on, but Harold Denton said it's not true, he's even flagged his own son.A