Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Nov 2nd, 2019

Officials appear to target T-Wolves SPEARFISH, S.D. — Brandon Payer was in street clothes and showered well before any of his Colorado State University-Pueblo teammates late Saturday afternoon The inside linebacker was ejected in the second quarter of the Thunder-Wolves’ football game against Black Hills State University so he had a head start. Payer was ticketed for targeting Yellow Jackets quarterback Ryan Hommel. The hit wasn’t even the hardest of the day from Payer, a sophomore bruiser from Conifer. But the referee deemed it illegal, so it was. Payer made the walk of shame to the locker room and waited until halftime to see if he got to play in the second half. Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference officials can review first-half ejections and reverse targeting calls if they think they made a mistake. They didn’t. RMAC officials this season have been reticent to admit they make mistakes. It didn’t matter on the field as the Thunder-Wolves beat the Yellow Jackets 49-14. It mattered in principle. The ThunderWolves were penalized for playing hard and fast. “The last thing I would ever do is tell or teach my guys to quit being aggressive,” Pack defensive coordinator Hunter Hughes said. “That’s how you get hurt and that’s how you get beat. We teach proper tackling techniques and we’re not a dirty team. Our guys play hard and they are going to continue to play that way.” Payer is the second Pack player to be ejected this season for targeting. Cornerback Darius Williams was tossed against Colorado Mesa. Neither hit warranted ejection. Yes, calls are subjective. But the Pack has been on the wrong side of several this season. They have been penalized for more than 100 yards in a game. The ThunderWolves are as aggressive as any team in the country. One season removed from a national championship, they also appear to be held to a higher standard than other teams. Officials will say that’s not true; game film could prove otherwise. Yes, they have a reputation. Payer is the Pack’s best defensive player and its hardest hitter. “I didn’t hit him in the head and I didn’t lead with my helmet,” Payer said. “I just play hard.” Hughes would not comment on the officiating. Neither would head coach John Wristen. It was evident that both coaches were frustrated at what they perceive is a double standard. Officials have played too big of a role in too many games this season. That’s never good. The best officials are the ones coaches, players and fans don’t even notice. Player safety should be paramount and there is no place in football for head hunting or destroying defenseless players. I applaud officials for policing dirty play. Payer’s hit wasn’t even close to dirty. Neither was Williams’ against the Mavericks. Football is controlled violence and big hits are part of the game. Protecting players is a must. So, too, is the integrity of the game. Because Payer sat out the second half on Saturday, he is eligible to play this week at Western State. And he will play like he always does.
Sep 4th, 2016