[laker20]

Just to make sure this dead horse gets what it has coming to it...

While I agree officiating is "just part of the game" that does not make it ok to accept poor officiating wheter due to inaccurate or missing calls, or worse, unethical refs. It is easy to argue that no other game relies so heavily on accurate and ethical officials. In baseball, if they swing and miss its a strike no matter what. If you miss the basket in basketball it is never good for 2 points. In football - EVERY single play hinges on whether or not the ref "allows" the play to stand. To that end, refs are as big a determinent in a game as the players themselves. No other sport endures that type of authority from its officials. That makes it especially harmful to football as a sport when refs miss calls, or call things that simply were not accurate.

In this game a championship was on the line. And while there will never be a reversal of calls nor will anyone paint a white hat next to the year 2011 on the District banner for Russell - everyone knows at this point that the officials, rightly or wrongly, played a critical role in the outcome of this contest. If the calls they made and didn't make were accurate - then those of us who feel different are just wrong - so be it. If, on the other hand, those calls really were inaccurate then at least maybe this discussion will continue to increase the pressure on refs to do the right thing to the best of their ability. So be it.

With all due respect Football1, I think you are carrying this a bit too far. I can agree with the fact that there were missed calls in the game. I'll even go as far as accept that it may have been more harming to the Panthers than it was to the Lakers, but to keep coming on here and making it a point to belittle the performance of the Laker players is of no benefit to you or the Panther program. The officiating in this game may have been poor, but it was far from playing a Critical Role in the outcome of this game. There were opportunities to make plays in this game and the Lakers stepped up and made them.

I have made it a point to take every effort to show respect and support to the panther fans and players, many of whom I know personally. However, I expect the same in return towards our players. I'm not sure who's benefit the above post is for, but to me, it seems to be of no benefit to any of us.