Plymouth (NH) High Leaves Souhegan Dumfounded After Free Kick Win

[UNHWildCats]

AMHERST – A "free field goal" dumbfounded Souhegan of Amherst last night.

Plymouth's icy-veined kicker, Kyle Underwood, relying on a little-known rule in the NHIAA book, nailed a 47-yard field goal to shock the Sabers in an 11-9 win for the Bobcats.

The defending champs won a battle of unbeatens in Division III and upped their winning streak to 29 games. Few of the 1,200 fans knew about the free-kick rule -- and now no one will ever forget.

With 10 seconds remaining, Tim Farina made a fair catch on Souhegan's punt, and Underwood lined up the game-winner by using a kickoff-style approach.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Plymouth+wins+on+obscure+rul e&articleId=196b7997-ac71-45b9-9d6a-203b1587a1bc

[UMass922]

That's awesome.

[JALMOND]

I believe it is a rule on all levels of football across the country. If you make a fair catch, you may elect to attempt a "free kick" on the next play. If the ball goes through the goal posts, you are awarded three points. If the kick is missed, opponent gets the ball where the free kick was attempted.

A little known rule, but a rule nonetheless. Note that this does not pertain to if you run the ball instead of making a fair catch, if the clock runs out before the fair catch is made, or if the ball is kicked out of bounds. A fair catch must be made, or a free kick cannot be tried.

[UNHWildCats]

I believe it is a rule on all levels of football across the country. If you make a fair catch, you may elect to attempt a "free kick" on the next play. If the ball goes through the goal posts, you are awarded three points. If the kick is missed, opponent gets the ball where the free kick was attempted.

A little known rule, but a rule nonetheless. Note that this does not pertain to if you run the ball instead of making a fair catch, if the clock runs out before the fair catch is made, or if the ball is kicked out of bounds. A fair catch must be made, or a free kick cannot be tried.


Actually if the ball doesnt go through the uprights and remains in the field of play its a live ball and can be returned by the other team, thats why a lot of times u have teams late in halfs who mkake fair catches and dont attempt it.

[minuteman65]

That's awesome. I remember hearing about that rule a long time ago.

[UNHWildCats]

Im also guessing this game has an FCS link. Souhegan RB Steven Jellison scored a TD, UNH's Sean Jellison went to Souhegan so it could be his brother in all liklihood.

[Hansel]

we used it once in High School

[brownbear]

My high school did it once also.

[UNHWildCats]

my high school could score if all they had to do was kick the ball and hit the side of a 100 foot wide bard 50 feet high. :p

[footballer23]

That's interesting... I thought that rule was only good if the fair catch was made with no time left on the clock at the end of a half... maybe that's just the NFL.

[Cobblestone]

I like D-III football. I went to a game at Plymouth State once. They have a small but beautiful little "stadium" with the White Mountains in the background.

[brownbear]

For this rule to apply, that would mean you get the ball on a fair catch at the other team's 30 or so. That means they kicked a very lousy punt from deep in their own territory (inside the 5).

I can't imagine the opportunity comes up very often