What type of penalties can lead to automatic ejection from the game?

The penalties that can lead to automatic ejection from the game are those categorized as unsportsmanlike conduct and personal fouls. These types of penalties are considered serious violations of the game’s sportsmanship and conduct rules. Unsportsmanlike conduct encompasses actions that are deemed disrespectful towards opponents, officials, or the game itself, such as taunting or verbal abuse.

Personal fouls, on the other hand, involve actions that are physically dangerous or reckless, such as targeting or violent tackles against defenseless players. When a player is flagged for these infractions, it signals that their behavior goes beyond the acceptable boundaries of sportsmanship and safety. As a result, the governing bodies of high school football, such as the NFHS, have established strict rules that enforce automatic ejection for these types of penalties to maintain fairness and integrity in the game.

In contrast, delay of game penalties, false start penalties, and pass interference penalties are categorized as lesser infractions and typically result in yardage penalties rather than ejection from the game. These calls are primarily focused on adherence to game rules regarding timing, movement before the snap, and player positioning, respectively, rather than on behavior reflecting the spirit of the game.