Mercy Rule

[MD Longhorn]

Not just fear of injury, but actual injuries and attrition. Had a C team start with about 16 players. By the 3rd quarter he was down to 11. They were getting slaughtered, and rather than risk worse, we agreed to a 1 minute fourth quarter (avoided the forfeit that way) and the winning team downed the ball to end it.

One other time a game was a blowout and we got lightning. Instead of waiting half an hour and trying to continue, the losing coach agreed to just end it.

The only other time I remember ending a game early or officially shortening it (rather than just running the clock) involved a life-flight helicopter and something like a minute or three left on the clock.

Note that none of these were varsity.