Just out of curiosity, what's the deal with Pierce running it up at the end? Is there bad blood between the two schools? I know...if you don't want the other team to score, stop them...but that last td with a minute to go seemed like a di** move.
I can see a couple different possibilities. There has been rumor that was Brahmer's last game as a coach. Maybe he wanted to keep his foot on the gas one last time. Sometimes a conservative play (not designed to score) is defended poorly and it just happens.
To me, the only di** move in coaching is if an opponent pulls their starters and the team with a big lead doesn't do the same.
I like your wording, if you don't want the other team to score, stop them. Well said.