In a rare move in high school football, Fox Chapel has asked for a mercy rule ahead tonight's game with powerhouse Pine-Richland.
Citing concerns over player safety and mental stress, Fox Chapel requested that beginning in the second quarter through the end of the game be shortened from 12 to 8 minutes.
This comes after Fox Chapel after suffered a 71-0 loss to Pine-Richland last year and is starting this season 0–2.
Pine-Richland agreed to the request and the decision sparked debate.
Critics online argue it sends the wrong message, especially for a 5A program like Fox Chapel
Pine-Richland head coach Jon LeDonne addressed concerns ahead of the upcoming conference matchup, saying, in part: “Make no mistake. We will continue to play our brand of football. While we have no control over the schedule, this is a conference game, and we intend to execute our game plan from start to finish.”
LeDonne adds no matter what the score is at halftime, his starters will come out and play to begin the third quarter.
“Playing one half of football for a series of weeks does not benefit our varsity players when they will be faced with adversity in the fourth quarter, either physically or mentally,” said LeDonne.
LeDonne adds “at no point will we, or have we ever, purposely tried to embarrass an opponent.”
KDKA Radio’s Colin Dunlap has spoken with several parents of Fox Chapel players. They tell him neither parents or players were aware of Athletic Director Michael O’Brien’s decision to request mercy from Pine-Richland.