Timing is right for Stats 101

With the preps embroiled in fall football practice, it seems the

right time to bring up the subject of statistics.

Every team has a handful of parents eager to keep track, and most

usually have an assistant coach in charge of the team’s “official”

statistics.

As you read these items I know you know, but you’d be surprised

how many others don’t know, so this is for them.

Probably the stat most messed up comes in the kicking game.

For instance, if you’re on your opponent’s 30-yard line you’ll be

going for a 47-yard field goal, because the kick is credited from the

point of contact to the end of the end zone. It includes a seven-yard

snap and a 10-yard distance from the goal line to the goal post.

However, if the snap is muffed, the kicker picks up the ball, runs

around a little while, then punts the ball into the end zone, it’s a

30-yard punt even though the ball comes out to the 20.

That’s because punter’s stats are good from the line of scrimmage

to the point of contact. In this case, past the goal line. You’d be

surprised how many times a complaint would emerge over punting, the

caller believing the punt is from the point of the kick, as opposed

to the line of scrimmage.

A blocked punt, recovered or picked up 15 yards behind the line of

scrimmage, is a punt for minus 15 yards. Very tough on the average.

Yardage gained with punt returns or fumble returns are “return

yardage” and are not counted in the rushing game. It’s a separate

category, which can be counted when you consider “all-purpose

yardage,” which is running, receiving, passing, and return yardage,

as well as kickoff returns, all bundled up in one category.

In the passing game, the completion gain is for the total play

from the line of scrimmage. But if it’s a hook and ladder, the

passing gain is to the hook, and the trailing runner is given a carry

from scrimmage for the balance of the run. But the quarterback gets

yardage credit for the total play.

The big one in the passing game is the lateral pass, which isn’t a

pass. Underhanded or overhanded, if the ball is pitched behind the

passer, the receiver becomes a runner and it’s a run from scrimmage.

Here’s the logic: If the lateral pass is dropped it’s a fumble if

the ball was passed behind the passer. But if it’s truly lateral, or

ahead of the passer, it’s simply a forward pass and an incompletion.

Needless to say, there are potential disasters with the backward

pass.

Two-point passes or two-point runs don’t count statistically, at

all. The runner simply ran for 120 yards on 12 carries, and had two

two-point runs. Or, the passer was 12 for 20 for 150 yards and two

interceptions, and, threw a pair of two-point conversions. If the

quarterback is sacked on the two-point conversion play, it’s just a

failed two-pointer, that’s all.

If the passer goes back and is thrown for a loss (sacked) of three

yards, it’s a three-yard loss rushing.

If you’re on the 50 and you pass to your tight end, who catches

the ball at the 20 and races in for a touchdown, you have some

figuring to do if there is a penalty on the play.

Anything marked off at the line of scrimmage, of course, negates

the play.

But it the flag is thrown 10 yards deep and the ball is marched

back 15 yards to your 45, then it’s a 10-yard passing play, less the

penalty. The passer’s stats are good for 10 yards, and the receiver’s

stats are good for 10 yards.

If you’re counting first downs, keep in mind, if in fact the play

ended just short of the end zone and you would have had a first down

had you not scored, it’s also a first down.

At one time when CIF playoff games ended in a tie, a team would

advance by virtue of first downs. Thankfully, it didn’t last long and

they figured out a better way to settle things.

As for the placement of the ball, keep this in mind. If you’re two

inches from paydirt, you’re still on the 1-yard line. If all of the

ball is one inch past midfield, you’re on the 49.

It took me a lot of time to buy into it, but it works out in the

long run.

Those are probably the most common things you need to know.

Just make sure you get the right passer, the right receiver and

the right runner.

I’ll never forget covering a Costa Mesa game once when Neil Peek

was the coach in the ‘60s and he had switched his quarterback’s

jersey with another because he didn’t want the other coach to know he

didn’t have his first-liner, who was injured, in the game.

The replacement had a great game, but you would never have known

it if you picked up the paper and read about it. Because the coach

never let on, not even after the game.

Quotes, notes, stats, the works, were all credited to the wrong

quarterback.

A belated correction was published, but it hardly seemed to

suffice.

Parents often believe that it is the stat that counts when

determinations are made in terms of college scholarships. Stats, and

individual honors. Neither ranks very high with college recruiters.

Scouts see every team, often, and they’re not nit-picking numbers.

They’re looking at speed, style, control, poise, size, strength,

intelligence, accuracy, touch, determination, good decisions and

straight talk from the respective coaches, yours and others. Stats

have their place, but they’re hardly the bottom line. And don’t

forget the GPA.

Finally, for just about everyone, the most significant stat is the

final score. Everyone shares in that one.

*

Update on Portable Prep:

The first day of school is something I believe everyone remembers

as some sort of day of confusion, but Newport Harbor High students

have a date coming up which surely ranks as something special.

Virtually every major building is out of service and everyone will

be bunched up in the portables for a long time to come.

In fact, it has become apparent, according to Bill Dunlap, the

committee chairman of the renovations, beyond the funding of Measure

A, which basically accommodates Dodge, Beek and other assorted

buildings, another $15-17 million is going to be required by way of

corporate sources, or a bond measure, to bring the administration

building (Robins Hall) and the auditorium (Loats Hall) into the mix.

Dodge and Beek, incidentally, are in the process of being upgraded

now and are not to be replaced, as noted in error in a previous

report.

“So far we’re in pretty good share timing-wise,” said Dunlap.

Improvements to the pool, a separate issue, are expected to be

complete before December.

Dunlap has a public meeting scheduled for Sept. 8 on campus at

6:30 a.m.

Another note of entertainment is anticipated in terms of traffic

in and around the campus, especially at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Somebody

should set up some stands and a snack bar for it.

Hey! See you next Sunday!

* ROGER CARLSON is the former sports editor for the Daily Pilot.

His column appears on Sundays. He can be reached by e-mail at

rogeranddorothea@msn.com.