Mike Lischio was incensed.
“They took a down away. How does this happen? How does this happen in a playoff? How?”
Lischio was calling last Friday night’s regional quarterfinal match between Flagler Palm Coast High School and Spruce Creek High School at FPC on Flagler Broadcasting’s WNZF alongside Rich Carroll. The bulldogs had been on a piercing drive, well into Spruce Creek’s half, with less than 30 seconds remaining and just one point down.
Carroll had been doing the live play-by-play, Lischio was adding color, and the game was broadcast on radio and on Youtube. WNZF’s is the only complete visual record of the game. It was clearly third down.
Except it wasn’t. Nor according to the referee. He called fourth down. The players thought it was still third down, with a chance to kick a field goal and win the game on fourth. Hayden Hayes completed a pass to Robbie Dailey. It was a few yards short of a first down.
That was it. The Bulldogs, robbed of a down, never got a chance to kick a field goal. Game over. The Bulldogs ended their season with a 9-2 record as Spruce Creek advanced to the regional semi-finals with an 8-3 record. FPC Coach Daniel Fish attempted a challenge but was rebuffed by the Florida High School Athletic Association-appointed referees.
FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet responds to what appears to have been the theft of a down that prevented what could likely have been a winning outcome for FPC.
Referees completely skipped third down in this Florida high school football playoff game and a broadcaster was livid
(h/t @FootballCounty1) pic.twitter.com/ch3UXD59Sn
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 19, 2024
By Bobby Bossardet
The true purpose of student athletics is to help raise young men and women. As such, our coaches at Flagler Palm Coast High School continue to demonstrate that they are dedicated to teaching our Bulldogs more than just X’s and O’s. It is important that all of our teams learn how to deal with adversity throughout their seasons, lessons that will carry over into their lives long beyond graduation.
As unfortunate as what transpired Friday night is, we will use this experience as an opportunity to learn how to overcome adversity. We acknowledged that sports officials try their best to get it right, but can make mistakes from time to time. When it comes to high school athletics, referees are the ultimate authority when it comes to decisions made on the field. However, as in life, we cannot always control others’ decisions that greatly affect us. But, we can control how we respond to them.
I am extremely proud of how Varsity Football Head Coach Daniel Fish and our entire coaching staff reacted to the call that was made on the field. Coach Fish reacted professionally and took appropriate measures in addressing the situation in the heat of the game, at a time where many could have resorted to other behavior.
Our student-athletes kept their heads up and gave it their best effort for the remaining plays after the call was made. Despite the decision not being overturned, our entire football program continues to respond to the incident like true Bulldogs, with dignity and class.
Many of our Seniors will continue their athletic careers at the next level. Most of the other players will move on to compete in another sport this year. Either way, sports officials will inevitably make mistakes in future competitions. It is important that coaches teach their athletes that not only can controversial calls be made from time to time, but that the energy players, coaches and fans alike can spend on losing control of their emotions in these moments could be redirected toward future on-field success, rather than on a call that is not going to be overturned.
Both teams played a great game and put on one heck of a performance. Yes, I am disappointed that our team did not have the opportunity to complete what could have been a game-winning drive. However, I am not going to let that rob our kids of the very impressive season they just completed.
I am proud of our students’ athletes who continue to model what it means to be a Bulldog on and off the competition field. I have absolutely no doubt that we are going to continue to improve every day, and we will not allow the distractions of a controversial decision to prevent us from moving forward and staying focused on our core mission of preparing this next generation of Bulldogs.
Bobby Bossardet has been the principal at Flagler Palm Coast High School since June 2022.
Masters says
It’s unfortunate that high school students can’t count to four. Too busy on social media.
Chris Conklin says
This article shows the 100% class of a principal who loves his school, coaches, teachers and all athletes. everyone should be grateful to be led by a winner. GO DOGS.
Surfgod says
I was there and that was a real heartbreaker. Lots of upset people, especially the team and their families who have put their hearts and souls into this season. Very eloquent words from the principal but there should be repercussions and perhaps an OT matchup granted so that the players can determine the outcome of this match instead of a mistaken referee. Moving forward, can a replay system be established for these types of incidents where the official has such a monumental impact on the outcome of a game? I realize that penalties can be called or not called and can have a similar impact, but they are not reviewable. How about just not being able to remember which down you are on? Is there no avenue to correct this error?
Z car says
Fish was in no way professional in this game. And what else was missed in the prior game, his shaking a player by his face mask, and physically grabbing and shoving other players. Fish is a disgrace, not a role model for our children. He is not fielding the best players. One of our best players quit because Fish was so unprofessional and had unreasonable expectations of the player while his mom was in the hospital due to a stroke. Fish is not a good example, not a mentor, and is very abusive to 90% of players. Fire him!
Deez Nutz says
Did you even read the article? If so you would know that it was the adult referee’s that need to go back to school to learn how to count to four!
Sandcrab Pride says
So, coaches and players are upset that they didn’t have one more shot at the endzone? The kid who would have thrown the ball was illegally recruited from Seabreeze along with one of our starting offensive linemen over the summer. Both kids still live in Ormond Beach and are seen around town frequently.
Maybe if FPC wants everyone to review the rules, we could all start with the rules against their coaches and players constantly DMing kids on social media and telling them to come play for FPC. Bosserdet has a lot of room to talk. In his day, the FPC athletic van just drove through Daytona and Ormond.
Always a Bulldog says
Tell me you don’t know football without telling me. If you ask his players, they love and respect Coach Fish. They work hard for him. Ask the player who he grabbed and he will tell you that’s exactly what he needed in that moment. How do I know that? Because I know that player. Coach Fish is fantastic for FPC. If your player cant’t handle it then football isn’t their sport. You do realize it’s a contact sport, right?
Mikewhocheesehairy says
Its legal, its called school choice. Just like last year alot of FPC players went to Mainland to play. Nothing new at all.
Chris Conklin says
hey sandcrab they were robbed and yes bosserdett van went through ormond and daytona n dominated. cream always rises to to the top. dry your eyes. at the end of the day the game is about the kids n not those laying on there couch
The barber says
Maybe don’t blow a 3 touchdown lead….Take accountability. Good coaches but poorly coached game.. Run the clock out. Rookie mistake. Live and learn.
Do your research says
So doing my research and according to Flagler Schools website: Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) Application 2024-2025 Applications will be accepted from March 1-31, 2024. Only our 5 Elementary Schools will be available for Controlled Open Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year.
I am assuming that the 4 secondary schools are closed to enrollment due to capacity. AND FDOE website “Each district school board and charter school must adopt a controlled open enrollment plan that allows a parent from any school district in the state to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school that has not reached capacity. The controlled open enrollment plan is in addition to the existing choice programs such as magnet schools, alternative schools, special programs, advanced placement, and dual enrollment.
And assuming he is now considered a non-traditional student.
Per FHSAA EL14 “Based on this school district’s or charter/lab school governing board’s “Controlled Open Enrollment Policy”, although this student would not physically occupy a seat at the school listed in Section A, this student meets all of the requirements necessary to attend this school had he/she chose to do so, including, but not limited to, meeting established deadlines for admission, space availability, etc., pursuant to § 1002.31, F.S. [ ___ Yes][ ___ No] *Required*”