It was time for the Arkansas Class 7A high school state football championship game between the Russellville Cyclones and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions at Golden Lion Stadium in Pine Bluff.
The start, however, was delayed by a fierce rules debate.
Game officials had agreed to use rules from the late 1800s, but apparently no one told Russellville Coach Jeff Holt until the teams lined up for the opening kickoff. Using the old rules, the kicker and return men were placed on the back perimeter of opposite end zones. Holt and many others were immediately confused.
"Wait a minute," Holt said. "My guy has to kickoff from the back of the end zone? That would mean my whole team has to line up out of bounds."
Arkansas-Pine Bluff's coach was equally puzzled: "So you're telling me my kick returners have to field the ball out of bounds?" he said. "What the fuck sense does that make?"
Rock got involved at about six a.m. when the argument between several African-American referees and Arkansas-Pine Bluff administrators, and Holt and the Pine Bluff coach, spilled into his front bedroom.
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