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Prep Bowl could adopt instant replay beginning in 2017

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 06/05/17, 9:01PM CDT

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If passed, the rule would be in place for 2017 football season.


Totino-Grace fullback Brady Bertram (6) celebrated with the Class 6A championship trophy after the Eagles defeated Eden Prairie in last year's Prep Bowl.

Instant replay at the Prep Bowl took another step toward reality Monday at the Minnesota State High School League board of directors meeting.

Associate director Kevin Merkle said advisory committees of football coaches and activities directors share an interest in using technology to get calls correct.

Turnovers and scoring plays are the focus, followed by the legitimacy of pass receptions and players staying in bounds, and whether a defender should be penalized for targeting. Trained replay officials would review the call and make the final decision.

If approved at the league’s August or October board meeting, replay would be used in November at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Merkle also discussed tweaking the Quality Results Formula used to seed many section playoff brackets. He recommended a face-to-face coaches vote for seeding when a team forfeits two or more games in football and three or more games in other sports. He also proposed that any team playing less than 70 percent of its scheduled games automatically receive the lowest section seed.

The league took action in gymnastics, approving modified state meet qualifications. Beginning next year, three gymnasts will advance from their section in the all-around. An additional three gymnasts will qualify in each of the four events.

In tennis, the doubles teams in both classes will be seeded one through five. And single sticks, used to prop up the net, will no longer be used in the state tournament.

Bob Madison was named an associate director of the league, effective July 27. Madison, who is completing his 15th year as the activities director at Mounds View High School. He will oversee football, dance team, boys’ basketball and baseball. Madison replaces Merkle, who is retiring after 17 years.

Four new board of directors were introduced: Todd Waterbury (Mankato East), Blaine Novak (New York Mills), Kirby Ekstrom (North Branch) and Mike Domin (Crosby-Ironton).

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