Another year of high school football, another year with the mercy rule.

Such a shame.

On the surface, the rule seems like a good one. It tries to prevent score differential from getting too far out of hand when a game is a mismatch on the field.

In reality, the rule exists because the PIAA does not believe coaches can police their own games and prevent them from getting out of hand on their own.

Also, with the mercy clock continually running in the second half, the rule also denies coaches who are trying to build programs and develop depth enough time to do so.

High school football games are supposed to run 48 minutes on the scoreboard. The clock should be stopped after every incomplete pass, scoring play, the ball carrier going out of bounds, etc., whether the score is 35-0, 63-0, whatever.

When a team is up five touchdowns on another in the second half, the coach with the lead should at least begin to put in second-string personnel. When the issue has clearly been decided, the starters should be on the sidelines.

This would accomplish two things.

No. 1, it enables the second and sometimes third-string players to see varsity time. After all, those kids work hard in practice, too. And they should get to play with a regular scoreboard clock, not one that keeps running just to get the game over with.

No. 2, when the winning coach begins to sub out players, it serves as an unspoken signal for the trailing coach to do the same. Again, this is the coaches policing the game.

It's how it should be.

When the winning coach of a lopsided game keeps his starters on the field “because we want to work on some things” ... Sorry, that doesn't fly.

Work on those things during practice, not at the expense of an outmanned opponent.

If a team's second and third-stringers continue to add to the score, so be it. If the final score is 35-7 or 63-7, does it truly matter? The losing team won't be scarred for life or emotionally shattered.

It's a game, after all.

Just play it out.

High school coaches should not have to be told when to show “mercy” on an opponent. And they certainly shouldn't need a mercy rule to dictate such a thing.

If they do, they shouldn't be high school coaches.