High school football rules

Question
nfhs: 1st quarter ends. Ball is moved to other end of field, clock is re-set to 12 min. Ref blows whistle ,raises hand. How long does offence have to snap ball? People tell me ref is signaling ball is ready to be put in play, but no time restriction on snap of ball until 2nd peroid starts with the snap of the ball. Is ref. signaling the start of the 25 sec. clock, or that ball is ready to be put in play?

Answer
The Referee should be blowing his whistle to get the teams on the filed and ready for play.   When he chops the ball in ready for play then the 25 second play clock starts .  The Chop is signaled by the Referee raising his hand above his head and as he thrusts his hand downward he blows his whistle, this is the start of the 25 second play clock.  The offense has 25 seconds to snap the ball.

In 5 man mechanics, The BJ times the 1 minute change between Qrts.  The BJ should signal the Ref that the 2nd Qtr. Should be underway.  The Ref. will make sure the teams are back out on the field.  From an officiating philosophy standpoint we don't want a delay of game following a change of Qtr. or Time out unless there is some extreme reason.  It is not good for the game and serves no purpose to either team for a delay of game in such a situation.