Officiating
Youth and high school football officials protect the integrity of the games our kids love to play. By demonstrating honesty, objectivity, consistency, courage, and common sense, officials can teach kids lessons that will benefit them for a lifetime.
The officials are an integral part of high school sports — without whom, games would not be possible.
Many states are looking for more high school officials, so there is ample opportunity to make an impact right away.
As an official, you can contribute to your local community, stay connected to the sports you love, and be a positive influence on young athletes. Officials help athletes learn to respect their opponents, understand the rules of the game, and practice good sportsmanship. And the objectivity and integrity that high school officials display is an example that every young person needs to observe firsthand.
Consider the many benefits of becoming a high school official:
- You’ll be a role model for the youth in your community.
- It’s a great way to stay in good physical condition.
- Hours are flexible.
- You’ll earn extra income.
- You’ll expand your network of friends and have fun.
The NFL and the NFHS have partnered to promote high school officiating — because high school sports need dedicated officials so it can prosper for years to come.
NFL officials discuss the importance of high school football officiating and the experience they gained officiating high school games.
High School Officiating Crew of the Month
As part of the ongoing partnership between the NFL and NFHS, eleven NFL clubs will recognize high school football officials during the 2025 football season.
The participating clubs will work with surrounding NFHS member state high school associations to fulfill the initiative’s mission.
The seventeen NFL clubs participating in this initiative, in partnership with their state football associations, are:
- Atlanta Falcons (Alabama/Georgia/Montana)
- Buffalo Bills (New York)
- Carolina Panthers (North Carolina)
- Chicago Bears (Illinois)
- Cincinnati Bengals (Ohio)
- Cleveland Browns (Ohio)
- Houston Texans (Texas)
- Indianapolis Colts (Indiana)
- Kansas City Chiefs (Kansas/Missouri)
- Las Vegas Raiders (Nevada/Utah)
- Minnesota Vikings (Minnesota)
- New Orleans Saints (Louisiana)
- New York Giants (New York)
- New York Jets (New Jersey)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Florida)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Pennsylvania)
- Washington Commanders (Virginia)
In affiliation with respective state associations, the participating NFL clubs will recognize youth and high school officials across their states in the months of September, October, and November. Officiating crews from the participating markets will be selected as a Crew of the Month.
Recipients will be highlighted for their demonstration of objectivity, fairness in rules implementation and commitment as high school football officials.
In association with Nike, crews will receive apparel and uniform items to keep them outfitted on the field. And the winners will be recognized on NFL Play Football social channels and on the Play Football website.
At the conclusion of the season, all selections during the year will be compiled and sent to the NFL to determine the overall Crew of the Year. This will be the crew that displayed the epitome of honesty, objectivity, and commitment to high school football.
Congratulations to the NFL-NFHS Officiating Crews of the Month for November 2025.
- Paul Coggins, Referee, Gallant, AL
- Michael Weldon, Umpire, Southside, AL
- Ronnie Henderson, Head Linesman, Alexandria, AL
- Devon Berry, Line Judge, Oxford, AL
- Jason Hayes, Back Judge, Gadsden, AL
- Tyler Rollins, Side Judge, Harpersville, AL
- Jared Waits, Field Judge, Oxford, AL
- David Wooldridge, Referee, Spring Hill
- Stephen Mazzola, Umpire, Spring Hill
- Frank Connell, Head Linesman, Spring Hill
- Justin Crowe, Line Judge, Spring Hill
- Anthony Adams, Back Judge, Spring Hill
- Randy O'Connell, Side Judge, Spring Hill
- John Bast, Field Judge, Spring Hill
- Peter Rodriguez, Clock Operator, Spring Hill
- Patrick Ingram, Referee, Kennesaw
- Gahmal Walton, Umpire, Stone Mountain
- Sheldon Smith, Head Linesman, Atlanta
- Benny Hickman, Line Judge, Mableton
- Jeff Williams, Back Judge, Palmetto
- DJ Doss, Side Judge, Kennesaw
- Khenji Harris, Field Judge, Acworth
- Bobby Gifford, Referee, Steger, IL
- Dave Cradeur, Umpire, Elmhurst, IL
- Steve Terpening, Head Linesman, Lemont, IL
- Dave Klusacek, Line Judge, Oak Forest, IL
- Justin Bergmann, Back Judge, Tinley Park, IL
- John Flanagan, Referee, Fort Wayne
- James Beard, Umpire, Huntertown
- Richard Panning, Head Linesman, Angola
- Sean Mangan, Line Judge, Fort Wayne
- Paul Carter III, Back Judge, Marion
- Jeff Johnson, Referee, Hutchinson
- Ryan Crowley, Umpire, Olathe
- Troy Davis, Head Linesman, Augusta
- Stu Chance, Line Judge, Dodge City
- Bryan Hanson, Back Judge, Pittsburg
- Matthew Trahan, Referee, Lake Charles
- Travis Loftin, Umpire, Baton Rouge
- Jeff Ryan, Head Linesman, Alexandria
- Percy Fields, Line Judge, New Orleans
- Lorenzo Mathieu III, Back Judge, Chalmette
- Joseph Loring, Side Judge, Monroe
- Keith Thibodaux, Field Judge, Thibodaux
- Taylor Fuhs, Referee, Fergus Falls
- Justin Mathre, Umpire, Rochester
- Christopher Voss, Down Judge, Fairmont
- John Hardgrove, Line Judge, Oakdale
- Tom Gillund, Back Judge, Brooklyn Park
- Craig David, Referee, Columbia
- Jeffrey Reynolds, Umpire, Fulton
- Brent Bernhardt, Head Linesman, Macon
- Matthew Lucas, Line Judge, Columbia
- Patrick Remis, Back Judge, Columbia
- Vic Feller, Referee, Lewistown
- Ron Bowen, Umpire, Lewistown
- Troy Eades, Head Linesman, Lewistown
- Art Logan, Line Judge, Billings
- Scott Sparks, Back Judge, Lewistown
- Clint Core, Side Judge, Billings
- Alden Donston, Referee
- Bill Cassinelli, Umpire
- Tyler McCabe, Line Judge
- Scott Krause, Head Linesman
- Mathew Matosich, Back Judge
- Chris Johnson, Side Judge
- Gerald Ackerman, Field Judge
- Rick Schober, Referee, Mickleton, NJ
- Brian Pluta, Umpire, Runnemede, NJ
- Steve Faramelli, Head Linesman, Mt. Royal, NJ
- Gary Keyser, Line Judge, Brigantine, NJ
- Sam Robinson, Side Judge, Mount Laurel, NJ
- Mike Hagenbuch, Field Judge, Pine Hill, NJ
- David Cohan, Referee, Mendon
- Darin Tyson, Umpire, Webster
- Billy Bowe, Head Linesman, Fairport
- Scott Englerth, Line Judge, Rochester
- Brian Labigan, Back Judge, Ontario
- Larry Carpenter, Referee, Peru
- Steve Matthews, Umpire, Peru
- Jessy Jolicoeur, Head Linesman, Chazy
- Jeff Reynolds, Line Judge, Massena
- John Simons, Side Judge, Moira
- Chris Ellis, Field Judge, New Rochelle
- Victor Garner, Referee, Garysburg, NC
- Nathan Colvard, Umpire, Jefferson, NC
- Robbie Lamb, Head Linesman, Charlotte, NC
- Jimmie Massengill, Line Judge, Four Oaks, NC
- Jarell Johnson, Back Judge, High Point, NC
- Alex Smith, Side Judge, Waynesville, NC
- Todd Doolittle, Field Judge, Franklin, NC
- Andrew Derrow, Referee, Wellston
- Peter Tamborello, Umpire, Proctor
- Adrian Williams, Head Linesman, Zanesville
- Marcus Thompson, Line Judge, Ironton
- Truman Hash, Back Judge, Portsmouth
- Nathan Jones, Center Judge, Mineral Wells
- Frank D'Amico, Referee, Pittsburgh, PA
- Jim Hobai, Sr., Umpire, Pittsburgh, PA
- Scott Goldman, Head Linesman, Pittsburgh, PA
- Ed Moeller, Line Judge, Pittsburgh, PA
- Branden Ballard, Back Judge, Pittsburgh, PA
- Tony Ganzak, Side Judge, Pittsburgh, PA
- Andy White, Field Judge, Pittsburgh, PA
- Doug Williams, Referee, College Station
- Ed Cockrell, Umpire, Port Arthur
- Jacob Rodriguez, Head Linesman, Nacogdoches
- Gary Threadgill, Line Judge, Austin
- Gerald Harper, Back Judge, Houston
- David Hinojosa, Side Judge, San Antonio
- Frank Lopez, Field Judge, Rio Grande
- Mitchell Shaw, Referee, Hedgesville, WV
- Jeffrey Dodd, Umpire, Paw Paw, WV
- Kevin Hardy, Head Linesman, Charles Town, WV
- David Aird, Line Judge, Falling Waters, WV
- James Watts, Back Judge, Martinsburg, WV
- Chris Triggs, Side Judge, Martinsburg, WV
- David Warner, Field Judge, Falling Waters, WV
Recognizing High School Officials
Recruitment and Training Opportunities
NFL clubs will work in conjunction with state associations to serve as a host location for a state officials association meeting and recruitment event. The NFL will provide speakers and clinicians from the officiating space to help train, educate, and mentor officials at the high school level and prospective officials who attend these educational and recruitment meetings. Along with education, these meetings will serve as an opportunity for individuals interested in becoming an official to meet those involved in officiating in their community, learn more about officiating roles, the scope of work involved and to connect prospects with current officials in their areas.
Under the Lights
To understand the officials outside their on-the-field roles, “Under the Lights” will provide a glimpse into the life of a current high school official. State associations will select an official who demonstrates a commitment to their work, local community, and their families. The selected officials will share their experiences in youth and high school officiating, while being recognized in the community.
“We appreciate the NFL and their clubs taking such an interest in high school officials and being such willing partners in developing an initiative that benefits football officials at the grassroots level.”
Karissa Niehoff
NFHS Chief Executive Officer
Pathway to the Pros
Of the thousands of football officials nationwide, only 121 currently officiate in the NFL.
To ensure they always have the most qualified officials prepared to join the NFL, scouts across the country evaluate officials at all levels of football to identify potential NFL officials. The league then uses this prospect pool to develop and choose their next officials.
Learn more about officiating at the NFL level:
Interested in becoming a high school official?
Click here to get started and find out what happens after you apply.
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