Some debate among the CovCath faithful this week about Coach Eviston not going for the 2 point conversion at the end of the first half to get the running clock at 43 - 7. Instead he kicks the XP and goes into half up 42 - 7.

 

With a running clock to start the 2nd half, it's doubtful AJ Mayer would have been in for more than one series of the second half and would not have been in the game to get dinged up. The Schue kid most likely isn't in to separate his shoulder on a tackle late in the game either.

 

The question is why wouldn't Eviston have gone for 2? Maybe he thinks it would look like he is running up the score? Wants more game time to work in backup players? Maybe he is unaware of the running clock rule? The same thing happened in the CovCath-Highlands game last year where the Colonels could have gone for a 2 point conversion to go up 36-0 in the 2nd quarter and opted not to do so.

 

As a rule of thumb, should a team always go for a two point conversion to get a running clock when they have a chance? If no, why not?

I'm guessing its early in the season. The coach probably wanted another drive with his starters instead of an immediate move to a running clock. There will be time for JV players, but CovCath has a tough schedule and getting another series might allow them to work on things for coming weeks.

I understand your reasoning, but I believe that going for 2 in that situation is kin to taking a base while up 15 or shooting a 3 when you are up 40. I think Eddie did not want to rub their noses in it. The better question is, if you are up so many points, why is AJ out there? I hear that they are having trouble finding a backup... no better place than this situation to give a series or two to each of the back up candidates.

In my opinion, this early in the season you're looking for reps in non-conference, non-district games. Right decision all the way IMHO.

I'm assuming it's because Coach wanted to get his freshman kicker, Dave Gronotte, a little more experience with PATs in game situations.

 

They ended up bringing in Dyer, who is handling kickoffs, for the field goad attempt because Gronotte is still so new to things.

Not a reason to go for two. Especially this game and time. Should you ever just for that reason?

I think 99% of coaches would not go for two in that situation. I am trying to think of when I have ever seen a coach go for two to get the running clock and can't recall any. My guess is if he did go for two and got it, he would still bring his first team out for at least the first series of the second half offense and defense to get them reps coming out of halftime

I think 99% of coaches would not go for two in that situation. I am trying to think of when I have ever seen a coach go for two to get the running clock and can't recall any. My guess is if he did go for two and got it, he would still bring his first team out for at least the first series of the second half offense and defense to get them reps coming out of halftime

 

You ever watch Dale Mueller coach? Always went for 2 at some point early in order to get the 36 to 0 lead and thus a running clock.

Not a reason to go for two. Especially this game and time. Should you ever just for that reason?

 

You're saying that starting a running clock is never a reason to go for the two point conversion?

You ever watch Dale Mueller coach? Always went for 2 at some point early in order to get the 36 to 0 lead and thus a running clock.

 

Not very much obviously since I haven't seen anybody go for two. Interesting. Did he start running in the backups as soon as he got the running clock?

I thought every coach did that. I have seen it multiple times.

I wonder if it could be politics. Has CCH had trouble scheduling enough NKY teams in the past? If so, do you really want to go for two right before half and alienate one of the local schools that will play you? Maybe the coaches are friends?

 

Most of us know Highlands has gone for two in similar circumstances and of course they have been accused of running up the score on inferior teams on more than one occasion in the past.

 

On the other hand, Ryle got a moral victory in the 2nd half, correct? If there is a running clock that doesn't happen...

 

I tend to go with what @HedgeHog8 said in the other thread on this:

 

"Shorten the game. That's the reason people call it a mercy rule. I have been involved in many games where the running clock has been placed on us; fewer where we put a running clock on others. It seems the best for both teams to prevent injuries and ejections from stupid penalties made out of frustration."

 

Finally, I am all ears if anyone wants to privately (that I can share) send me the reason why: [email protected]

Going for 2 could help prevent running up the score by shortening the game.

Last week we went up 40-0 with 4:30 left in 2nd qtr. the 3rd and 4th qtr both had just one series for each team.

You ever watch Dale Mueller coach? Always went for 2 at some point early in order to get the 36 to 0 lead and thus a running clock.

 

How long has Dale Mueller been away from coaching because the mercy rule has only been at 36 for a few years?

Going for two is the right call. Any coach offended by that should stop coaching. Get the running clock and move on with life. Are you really getting meaningful reps in a blowout? They play JV games for a reason.