I don't mind if the 2nd and 3rd teams score at all, but keep the trick plays in your back pocket...I am not going to make up a penalty but I will make it very clear to the coach that I am not happy with his choices.

Friday night we had the same situation late in the game and the winning coach took a knee on the 1-yard line at to end the game with the third string in the game...I have the a ton of respect for coaches like that.

The minute you do this is the minute that you permiss the coach to comment about your officiating.

If this type of play happened in my state, we would want them to score so we can get to the mercy rule. I do not care how they get there; just get there so the clock can run. Then we can throw all the flags we like as time is just going to run tool. ;)

Peace

So, otherwise the coaches aren't allowed to comment on our officiating? We all do things to limit a blowout. On close plays on the out of bounds do you tend to wind it? This is just an example that goes too far. I will mention to the coach "coach if you are taking a knee let me know so I can try and protect your QB." This plants the seed in his head that the game is over.

I tell my guys there is nothing worse than throwing a flag on something that's not there. I don't particularly care what the game situation is at the time. Missed calls can be defended, there is no defense for calling something that's not there.
And last I checked, we're there to officiate a game that ALL the players have prepared for all week. It's not our job to do what we can to get it over with as fast as possible no matter which "string" of players happen to be in. Yeah, inside I may think it's BS the coach that's up by 20 in the 4th qtr is still bombing the ball down the field but that's not going to change how we call the game (other than telling my guys to be even more vigilant about cheap hits).

Totally agree!

I don't remember that situation ever being covered in any rules meetings, book, mechanics or other conversations with the state or local officials. Even the second and third teams deserve a good effort from the officiating crew. This guy is off base, and our crew is very experienced...each member would tell him to take a hike not just the crew chief.

IN our state we have a running clock to end things when they get this far out of hand. Not a perfect solution, but it makes the 2nd half go quicker!