I agree that common sense might say, "Sure, why not?" but there is only rule support for shortening the period not calling the delay halftime and then finishing the period. In today's society, were law suits have became the norm, I fear deviating from the rules and an injury occurring might put us on the hot seat. The NFHS Rule Book used to read : "The game is administered by officials.......The use of 4 officials is recommended." Then this occurred :
(1) Baby Bear got injured by a cheap shot;
(2) none of the 4 man crew witnessed the foul;
(3) Momma Bear & Poppa Bear, realizing that this might cost Baby Bear a full ride to UCLA and a career with the Chargers, felt someone should pay;
(4) their lawyer decided that if there had been a 5th official, he would have watching the mean boy never would have dared to cheap shot Baby Bear;
(5)then came the "pass the buck"/"hot potato"/"deep pockets".....
(a) the officiating crew said the assignor only assigned 4;
(b) the assignor said the school would only pay for 4;
(c) the school said the state association only recommended 4;
(d) the state association quoted the NFHS : "The use of 4 are recommended";
(e) NFHS met the case head-on and won.
The rule (1-1-4 note) now reads : "Each STATE ASSOCIATION may determine the number of game officials to be used."
I didn't want to put myself in a position of liability of allowing it.
IMHO, Rule 1-1-6 is to be used if the situation isn't covered in the rules.
IMHO, I felt it was covered by 3-1-3.
IMHO, my humble opinion isn't always popular.
(5 man crew)