Judging by the long hours our online guy Jonathan Bennett is putting in, MyClaySun.com seems to have taken off. (One short note: All because his picture occasionally pops up next to a "Pet of the Week" headline does not mean we've put him up for adoption at the animal shelter -- although, as you can see by his shaggy red mane and puppy dog eyes, he wouldn't last a day there.)
However, while Jonathan is working the pet angle and Joe Wilhem is prowling the Clay County nights with gentlemen in skirts (ok, kilts, whatever), few things have been going on in sports, which is partly my fault. So let's see if we can rectify that.
Did anyone see how Orange Park got ripped off at Palm Coast in its first round regional basketball game? Coach Darryl Lauderdale, in keeping with FHSAA policy, didn't say a word about the officiating, but the throbbing vein in his neck spoke volumes.
You know, officiating is probably the most thankless job in the world, and I will never understand why anyone would subject themselves to it. And, truth is, fewer and fewer people are subjecting themselves to it, which is probably why the FHSAA has a rule against criticizing them. Without officials, well, I'm not sure we'd have scholastic sports.
Still, it's a downright shame that the Raiders' fine season ended the way it did. Was the problem incompetence of the officials? Was the problem favoritism? Was it that officials from that area wouldn't get another paycheck for the next round of playoff games if the home team didn't win? Let's face it, these guys are human -- some more human than others.
Most times, officials are the most reasonable people on the floor or field. But there was very little reasonable about the Raiders' loss to Flagler Palm Coast, and I know I wasn't the only one to see it. Let's hear it, Clay. (Don't forget to keyword your blog entry "sports" so that we can keep this conversation going.)
I did not see the game...I live in Keystone... but I will agree with you that Officiating is probably the most "THANKLESS" job.... one mistake and you are criticized and scrutinized the rest of the game. I must admit that this is one job I would not want but that these guys are doing the best they can or I HOPE they are doing the best they can.