Rules Changes For '13 High School Football Season

-  Pass interference no longer is an automatic first down if against the defense, or does it result in a loss of down if against the offense.  Both are a 15-yard mark off from the previous spot, and the down is replayed except when the penalty against the defense results in a first down.

-  If a player’s helmet comes off during a play, it is illegal participation and a 15-yard penalty if that player continues to participate in a play; and a personal foul and a 15-yard penalty if a player from the opposing team initiates contact with a player whose helmet has come off.

-  On a catch, an airborne receiver whose forward progress is stopped and is carried out of bounds by a defender will be ruled a legal catch.  If the airborne receiver is contacted and driven out of bounds, the result of the play is an incomplete pass.

-  Following a penalty on the kicking team for kick catch interference on a fair catch play, the receiving team can opt to take a free kick after the 15-yard penalty has been enforced.

The 2013 high school football season begins on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with junior varsity and freshmen games. The first varsity games are on Thursday the 29th. We will post a composite football schedule for the Upper Peninsula's teams later this week.