Use a column:

Column header: 1st downs

Simply enter a Y or Yes to mean the play resulted in a 1st down.

Then just count the Y or Yes in that column:

=COUNTIF(F:F,"Y")
=COUNTIF(F:F,"Yes")

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"rugbykats" wrote in message
...
I am creating a spreadsheet that will allow me to keep track of a football
game's statistics by entering the result as each play occurs. Generally,
no
problem. However, plays randomly result in first downs, and when that
happens, I would like to "mark" the cell in some way. Then I will create a
cell that simply counts how many of those cells there are, which will give
me
the total number of first downs.

My question is, in what way can I "mark" the cell? Whatever way I do it,
the
worksheet must still be able to access and use the number entered in that
cell.