What would you do ???

[Ralph Damren]

Sewer Rats lead Sand Worms 21-20, 0:03 left in game....

ACT I : Rats  for Illegal formation,

ACT II : Rat QB fumbles the snap, Worm MLB scoops up ball and advances to Rat,s 40,

ACT III : During the return, Worm DE blocks Rat FB in back  .

ACT IV : Clock now reads 0:00.0

EPILOGUE :  What are the choices 

[ilyazhito]

If the Worms decline the Rat penalty, they keep the ball with a 10-yard penalty assessed against them and an untimed down from the 50.

If the Worms accept the Rat penalty, we have offsetting penalties and the Rats replay the previous down.

If the Rats decline the Worm penalty, only the Rat penalty can be enforced, from the previous spot, with an untimed down. The Worms do not get to tack the Rat penalty on to the interception return.

If both penalties are declined, the game is over.

The most favorable outcome for the Worms would be to decline the Rat penalty, enforce their own, and get an untimed down from the 50.

[ElvisLives]

If the Worms decline the Rat penalty, they keep the ball with a 10-yard penalty assessed against them and an untimed down from the 50.

If the Worms accept the Rat penalty, we have offsetting penalties and the Rats replay the previous down.

If the Rats decline the Worm penalty, only the Rat penalty can be enforced, from the previous spot, with an untimed down. The Worms do not get to tack the Rat penalty on to the interception return.

If both penalties are declined, the game is over.

The most favorable outcome for the Worms would be to decline the Rat penalty, enforce their own, and get an untimed down from the 50.

Ralph, is the ruling in bold text correct? Do the Rats (Team A) have the ability to refuse offsetting fouls (and decline Worms’ penalty)? Or, are the Worms (Team B) the only team that has the ability to refuse offsetting fouls (and decline the Rats’ penalty)?

[Ralph Damren]

Ralph, is the ruling in bold text correct? Do the Rats (Team A) have the ability to refuse offsetting fouls (and decline Worms’ penalty)? Or, are the Worms (Team B) the only team that has the ability to refuse offsetting fouls (and decline the Rats’ penalty)?

Ilyazhito was correct in the game would be over if A declined B's penalty after B declined A's 

(NFHS book) 10-2-2b : " ...the team that was not in last possession has no penalty options until the team in possession had made its penalty decision on the fouls prior to the change of possession. After that decision by the team in last possession ,the team not in last possession may decline or accept the penalty for the foul by the team in last possession...." 

Rule 3-3-3:A period shall be extended by an untimed down if one of following occurred during a down in which time expites:
  a. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accecpted...
  b. There was a double foul.

While 'a' seems to conflict with 'b' in the ruling on the above play  , I await for the opinion from higher above  ...

[sczeebra]

Worms choose first, If they accept Rats can then decline and snap the ball again with 5 yd penalty or accept creating a double foul and snap at previous spot.
If Worms decline then the Rats will decline also and the game is over. Poor Worms, they would be best to accept the penalty and hope the darned Rats fumble again.