Movies: Ball Blunders

Sony's upcoming teens-in-juvy saga "Gridiron Gang," based on a 1993 documentary, is a quality flick. But how's the football ? "Gridiron Gang" is tripped up late by a series of gaffes that no serious sports fan would miss. (Sony declined to comment.) What does "Gridiron Gang" get wrong? PERI plays referee and throws the flags:

Poor timing: The first play of the film's climactic drive--a long pass completion--takes more than 30 seconds off the clock. Huh? Even a deep pass play takes only about 10 seconds, tops.

Dumb strategy: With one shot left for the winning score and the ball beyond the 20-yard line, the coach calls ... a running play? Is he crazy? You pass--the clock stops on an incompletion--or you get fired.

Clock mismanagement: With 11 seconds left, an actor says there's time for only "one more play." But since the clock stops on an incompletion, 11 seconds is enough time for at least two more plays.

Rules violation: During the game's last play, the clock starts prior to the snap and ticks down almost to zero. Wouldn't happen. In this situation, the clock starts at the snap, not before it.

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