I’ve coached at the level you specified alone, for just about 20 seasons I know exactly what you’re talking about. And let me tell you. Levels above and below, better officiating than at the HS level, I’ve never seen so much inept guesses and not knowing the rules than at this particular level, and I’ve found it’s gotten worse and worse over the last decade to the point where I am up here, there is an officiating shortage.
I’ve had to file multiple complaints to my leagues, including one play just in 2022 where an opposing receiver literally dropped the pass, never even came close to possessing it, the ball was on ground 4 feet away from him o the ground he goes to grab the ball to give to The official and the official who was right there decided to rule it a catch!
There is an EPIDEMIC of refs calling what they “think” they see instead of what they actually see. I can understand that there is speed in this game and a lot of times you see the body language, but simply put, if you didn’t actually see the violation of the rules, don’t call it!
Then that opens it up the point people make which I agree with, everything should be reviewable, because if you take the approach that things aren’t above being reviewed, and the officials are “always right” then they deserve extreme criticism for their flagrant lack of professionalism in doing their correct job.
As your example of HS, here is where I have no sympathy, if I’m putting in 30 hours of prep and practice a week for these games I expect the officials to show up and do their job too. As the levels get higher the expectation should as well