How is a penalty for illegal equipment enforcement handled?

When dealing with penalties for illegal equipment in NFHS football, the enforcement is specifically defined to ensure fairness and safety in the game. When an illegal equipment issue is identified, typically, it is regarded as a significant violation because it can impact player safety or the integrity of the game. As such, the proper enforcement is a 15-yard penalty assessed against the team.

This approach reinforces the importance of adhering to equipment rules, which are established to protect players and ensure that all participants are competing under the same conditions. This penalty serves not only as a disciplinary measure but also as an incentive for teams to ensure their players' gear complies with established regulations.

In contrast, the other options suggest alternative penalties or scenarios that either do not align with the established NFHS rules or misinterpret the necessary response to an illegal equipment issue. These options reflect misunderstandings of the gravity of equipment violations and the structured response laid out in the game rules.