Excessive celebration foul....

[DiamondDude]

Last Friday, Broad Run had a 4th down inside its own 10 yard line, and the pass fell incomplete. Meanwhile Briar Woods players were celebrating the stop and were flagged for it. According to the news report, they were penalized 15 yards and Broad Run kept the ball. I thought that was a dead ball foul, Briar Woods keeps the ball after being hit with 15 yards. Did the refs screw up here?? Am I missing something?

 

[White hat]

Well, I know enough to know not to rely on news reports to determine if the officials erred. COuld have been a flag for something live ball but the person who saw it saw a celebration and assumed that's what the flag was for.

That said, celebration penalties are unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, penalized as dead ball fouls. A USC foul during an unsuccessful 4th down play will be assessed but the ball will still be turned over on downs.