NFHS Ruling on Penalty at End of Game

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by TXMike

It was learned later the officials had called a block in the back against Branford during the return. That negated the touchdown and since the game can end on a penalty against the offense, it was over. At that point, it was only a matter of record keeping as the Hornets improved to 2-7-1 on the season

In NFHS, a period is extended for one untimed down for any accepted penalty--regardless of who committed it. So the statement that "the game can end on a penalty against the offense" isn't completely true. It can if the penalty is declined.

So A could have accepted the penalty, but B would have 1st and 10 for one untimed down. Perhaps the officials assumed A would decline the penalty, and thus just ended the game. If I was the A coach, I probably would have accepted the penalty and forced an untimed down and hoped for a fumble or other mishap. But likely B would have taken a knee at the snap on the succeeding play.

The whole "a game cannot end on a defensive penalty" statement does not apply to NFHS. I don't know about NCAA or NFL. But, again, this seems to be another example of applying Sun or Sat rules to Fri night (or in this case Thurs).