PARKERSBURG — The Ohio High School Athletic Association implemented a football mercy rule in 2014. It keeps the clock running when a team is up by 30 or more points in the second half.

Now after years of clamoring for a similar rule in West Virginia, the WVSSAC has adopted a rule change that will keep the game clock running during the fourth quarter if a team leads by 35 or more points.

The “game-shortening rule” takes effect this fall. It gained the approval of a coaches committee this past spring.

There are only six exceptions to the rule: An injured player, a charged team timeout, a change of possession, a score, a try after touchdown or “any extended delay.”

“We basically had a rule but it wasn’t used often. The new rule now forces the issue,” WVSSAC Executive Director Bernie Dolan said. “Coaches in the past never wanted to shorten the game, regardless of what side of the score they were on. This is a sensible rule.”

Any prep grid rule change will spawn a variety of opinions from coaches.

“If you ask 100 guys what exactly the rule should entail you’d get 100 answers, but I think most of us would agree that we needed something. I think it makes a lot of sense — 35-plus point leads often come from a physical mismatch of teams and the last thing we want to do is put kids in a position that increases the number of snaps where there’s a chance of injury since football is such a physical game,” Cameron head coach Scott Holt offered. “I’ve heard the argument that it limits a chance for kids who don’t play so much to get playing time, but maybe this will force us coaches to put some backups in a little earlier knowing that the fourth quarter will be a short one.”

John Marshall head man Rick Goodrich is also a supporter of the change.

“I feel it is good because at that stage of the game with that big difference in score it’s good to get it over,” Goodrich said. “I have been on both sides of the scoreboard in that situation and when losing you want to get out of there and when winning you don’t want to score anymore and we have already experienced it in Ohio and I feel it was beneficial to both schools.”

Linsly’s B.J. Depew also is in line with the change.

“I think the rule is fine. Surrounding states have had similar rules for a little while now, so it won’t be a huge shock to us,” Depew said. “I think it works to eliminate potential risks at the end of games that have been decided. It’s always tough to short-change the kids playing time, but the quality of those minutes is not what anyone is really looking for.”

Count Wheeling Central’s Mike Young with those in favor.

“I think it is a great idea and long overdue in some respects,” Young said. “Hopefully, the rule will lead to reserves playing against reserves, reducing the risk of injury.”

Not all coaches, however, are enthralled with the new rule.

“I am probably different here, but I don’t like it. If you are a good coach and you sub, then really all it did was take varsity Friday night game reps away from second, third and fourth string jayvee players,” said Wheeling Park head coach Chris Daugherty. “Those kids practice, too. But I also know some coaches don’t do the right thing.”

BUBBA’S BITS

FORMER ST. CLAIRSVILLE two-sport all-Ohioan Dan Monteroso spoke at my basketball camp this past week. The Purdue grad and now West Liberty University gridder and hoopster is as mature, well-grounded and mentally strong as any 22-year-old I have ever crossed paths with.

WHEELING CENTRAL has a rich baseball tradition. Bo McConnaughy is one of the Maroon Knights’ all-time great players. Bringing back the diamond icon to guide the Knights’ baseball program is a masterful move by Athletic Director Mike Young and the school’s administration. Bo knows baseball.

THE 2015 NCAA Division II National Champion Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team has earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 2015-16 season. WJU registered a 3.44 team for the 2016 spring semester. The Cardinals had 17 team members with a 3.0-plus GPA and put 13 member on the WJU Dean’s List.

THE MEADOWBROOK boys’ basketball is having a 5K glow run/walk on Friday, Aug. 12 at the football stadium. Registration will begin at 6 p.m. with runners taking off at 9:15 and walkers immediately following. Pre-registration ends Monday and cost $25 which guarantees you a t-shirt. Cost the night of registration is $30 with the first 50 people receiving a shirt. Awards will be given for the biggest team, most glow and first through third place for each of the six age divisions.

ST. JOHN Central has hired Joe Anastasia as its new golf coach. Also, Matt Heusel has added Greg Ring to his Fighting Irish boys’ hoop staff.

THE ANNUAL Betty Zane Days Festival opens in Martins Ferry Tuesday. It will again feature its popular dunking tank. Three Purple Rider head coaches are ripe for the dunking on Friday night: boys’ hoop boss Derek Edwards, 7:30-8; swimming coach Nick Levi, 8:30-9; and baseball coach Anthony Reasbeck, 10-10:30.