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.
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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, all 32 NFL clubs will recognize high school football officials during the 2026 football season.
The participating clubs will work with surrounding NFHS member state high school associations to fulfill the initiative’s mission.
In affiliation with respective state associations, 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.
The winners will be recognized on NFL Play Football social channels and on the Play Football website.
At the conclusion of the season, each state association will nominate a Crew of the Year from their submissions during the season to the NFL to determine the overall Crew of the Year, representing all states and clubs. 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 October 2026.
- Eric Greene, Referee, Madison, AL
- James Nicholson, Umpire, Albertville, AL
- Kevin Jackson, Head Linesman, Huntsville, AL
- Randy Shrader, Line Judge, Valley Head, AL
- Glenn Graves, Back Judge, Albertville, AL
- Jeredith Brown, Side Judge, Harvest, AL
- Sam McGriff, Field Judge, Dutton, AL
- Steve Castillo, Referee, Phoenix, AZ
- Jalen Lester, Umpire, Peoria, AZ
- Mike O’Connor, Head Linesman, Mesa, AZ
- Dallas Ferrell, Line Judge, Surprise, AZ
- Patrick Thompson, Back Judge, Avondale, AZ
- Daniel Gaytan, Side Judge, Apache Junction, AZ
- Patrick Fisher, Field Judge, Scottsdale, AZ
- Jerry Trautman, Referee, Bellflower, CA
- Joe Lloyd, Umpire, Anaheim, CA
- Brandon Ballou, Head Linesman, Downey, CA
- Bob Yoakum, Line Judge, Santa Ana, CA
- Harry Hampton, Back Judge, Moreno Valley, CA
- Dietrich Ellis, Side Judge, Long Beach, CA
- Lance Rosenkranz, Field Judge, Fullerton, CA
- Danny Vargas, Referee, San Fernando, CA
- Mark Hayes, Umpire, Valencia, CA
- Andy Parker, Head Linesman, West Hollywood, CA
- Jim Sayre, Line Judge, Burbank, CA
- Orlando Chavarria, Back Judge, Ventura, CA
- Russel Nygaard, Side Judge, Los Angeles, CA
- Jon Stein, Field Judge, Valencia, CA
- Paul Campana, Referee, Pleasanton, CA
- Dan Ward, Umpire, San Ramon, CA
- Cole Campana, Head Linesman, Fremont, CA
- Juan Morales, Line Judge, Hayward, CA
- Adam Pruett, Back Judge, Hayward, CA
- Jeff Li, Side Judge, San Ramon, CA
- Kevin Lopez, Field Judge, Fremont, CA
- Todd Berisford, Referee, Pueblo, CO
- Leroy Garcia, Umpire, Pueblo, CO
- Kolby Davidson, Head Linesman, Pueblo, CO
- Derrick Martinez, Line Judge, Pueblo, CO
- Mike Gage, Back Judge, Pueblo, CO
- Kenneth Jefferson, Referee, Jacksonville, FL
- Alvin Whaley, Umpire, Jacksonville, FL
- Matthew Bonna, Head Linesman, Jacksonville, FL
- Mark Murphy, Line Judge, Jacksonville, FL
- Brock Williamson, Back Judge, Jacksonville, FL
- Chris Robinson, Side Judge, Jacksonville, FL
- William Sapp, Clock Operator, Jacksonville, FL
- Fred Wass, Referee, Naples, FL
- Doug Ferenchak, Umpire, Naples, FL
- Virgil Lindsey, Head Linesman, Naples, FL
- Robert Lancaster, Line Judge, Naples, FL
- Duane Tucker, Back Judge, Naples, FL
- Bettina Roedig, Clock Operator, Naples, FL
- Danny Whidden, Referee, Fort Myers, FL
- Gary Holtzman, Umpire, Fort Myers, FL
- Carlos Ferreira, Head Linesman, Fort Myers, FL
- Doug Simpson, Line Judge, Fort Myers, FL
- Mike Cavallaro, Back Judge, Fort Myers, FL
- Ken Clampitt, Referee, Gray, GA
- George Thomas, Umpire, Macon, GA
- Antwoine Stewart, Head Linesman, Macon, GA
- Josh Tidwell, Line Judge, McDonough, GA
- Byron Berryhill, Back Judge, Americus, GA
- Jeremy Pennamon, Side Judge, Culloden, GA
- Chalary Bloodser, Field Judge, Milner, GA
- Dave Green, Referee, Chatham, IL
- Marv Dampeer, Umpire, Decatur, IL
- Jim Lovelace, Head Linesman, Chatham, IL
- Art Moore, Line Judge, Springfield, IL
- Darrin Sortor, Back Judge, Sherman, IL
- Kevin Woolsey, Referee, Newburgh, IN
- Troy Kough, Umpire, Newburgh, IN
- Dan Hufnagel, Head Linesman, Rockport, IN
- Mike Tolley, Line Judge, Newburgh, IN
- Caleb Andry, Back Judge, Paoli, IN
- Isaac Bowles, Side Judge, Marengo, IN
- DJ Needham, Referee, Osawatomie, KS
- Drew Needham, Umpire, Osawatomie, KS
- John Rayl, Head Linesman, Osawatomie, KS
- Garrett Needham, Line Judge, Osawatomie, KS
- Allen Jay Johnson, Back Judge, Lenexa, KS
- PD Harris, Referee, Grayson, KY
- Nick Cornwell, Umpire, Ashland, KY
- Jeff Adkins, Head Linesman, Piketon, OH
- Dave Fields, Line Judge, Fort Gay, WV
- Dave Anderson, Back Judge, Grayson, KY
- David Stafford, Side Judge, Vanceburg, KY
- Roy Wright, Field Judge, Owingsville, KY
- Kevin Clement, Referee, Thibodaux, LA
- Mike Hebert, Umpire, Baton Rouge, LA
- Nick LeDay, Head Linesman, Lake Charles, LA
- Joseph Vinson, Line Judge, Alexandria, LA
- Tommy Ecroyd, Back Judge, LaPlace, LA
- Shawn Clark, Side Judge, New Orleans, LA
- Ryan Williams, Field Judge, Ruston, LA
- Ryan Massey, Referee, Maryland Board of Officials
- Buddy Iser, Umpire, Potomac Valley Officials
- Drew Metrey, Head Linesman, Washington District Officials
- Pete Brummett, Line Judge, Bayside Football Officials
- Eric Yancey, Side Judge, Frederick Football Officials
- Ryan Hemminger, Field Judge, Champion Football Officials
- Joseph Bollus, Referee, Harwich, MA
- Dan Case, Umpire, Dennisport, MA
- Frank Sesto, Head Linesman, Centerville, MA
- Jack Farley, Line Judge, North Truro, MA
- Jeffrey McCarthy, Back Judge, West Yarmouth, MA
- Joel Venia, Referee, Marysville, MI
- John Schweihofer, Umpire, Marysville, MI
- Mike Roosen, Head Linesman, Macomb, MI
- Tom Mailoux, Line Judge, Capac, MI
- Ken Marzka, Back Judge, Lakeport, MI
- Paul Gutowsky, Side Judge, Allentown, MI
- David Wood, Field Judge, Jeddo, MI
- Rick DeGardner, Referee, Vadnais Heights, MN
- Tom Hoye, Umpire, St. Paul, MN
- Fred Harris, Head Linesman, Chaska, MN
- Jay Wetzel, Line Judge, Hibbing, MN
- Tom Holland, Back Judge, Donnelly, MN
- Jerry Banks, Referee, Clinton, MS
- Stedman Capler, Umpire, Clinton, MS
- Lee Alderman, Head Linesman, Clinton, MS
- Torrye Evans, Line Judge, Clinton, MS
- Eugene Lindsey, Back Judge, Clinton, MS
- Anthony Johnson, Side Judge, Jackson, MS
- Alona Alexander, Field Judge, Jackson, MS
- Matt Mense IV, Referee, Webb City, MO
- Ashley Roberson, Umpire, Joplin, MO
- Kenny Moore, Head Linesman, Joplin, MO
- David Rector, Line Judge, Duenweg, MO
- Tyler Kussman, Back Judge, Joplin, MO
- Dave Peterson, Referee, Havre, MT
- Eli Salapich, Umpire, Havre, MT
- Matt Kretchmer, Head Linesman, Havre, MT
- Jerry Weigand, Line Judge, Dodson, MT
- Jeremy Couch, Back Judge, Havre, MT
- Bruce Grange, Referee, Elko, NV
- William Cooper, Umpire, West Wendover, NV
- Hugh Neilson, Head Linesman, West Wendover, NV
- Dale Lotspeich, Line Judge, Deeth, NV
- Mary Cassinelli, Back Judge, Elko, NV
- Eric Miler, Side Judge, Spring Creek, NV
- Weston Hendrix, Field Judge, Lund, NV
- Anthony Aleman, Referee, Clark, NJ
- Brian DiDomenico, Umpire, Morris Plains, NJ
- Matt Hoffman, Head Linesman, Stanhope, NJ
- Kevin Schmid, Line Judge, Succasunna, NJ
- Matthew Bogert, Side Judge, Pompton Plains, NJ
- Jude Kernizan, Field Judge, Cedar Grove, NJ
- Bob Lockhart, Referee, Rochester, NY
- Jim Maxwell, Umpire, Rochester, NY
- Peter McCabe, Head Linesman, Rochester, NY
- Wray Richardson, Line Judge, Rochester, NY
- Ed Wood, Back Judge, Rochester, NY
- Charlie Seyffer, Referee, Troy, NY
- Tony Straus, Umpire, Saratoga Springs, NY
- Ronald Day Jr., Head Linesman, Ballston Lake, NY
- Curtis Nobles, Line Judge, Albany, NY
- Mike Grigas, Back Judge, Cohoes, NY
- Ronald Very, Side Judge, Albany, NY
- Dale Proctor, Referee, Archdale, NC
- Dale Buchanan, Umpire, Sylva, NC
- Vollie Barnwell, Head Linesman, Weaverville, NC
- Ken Kassens, Line Judge, Fayetteville, NC
- Jason Dunker, Back Judge, Carolina Beach, NC
- Jared Torrence, Side Judge, Sherrills Ford, NC
- Mike Lane, Field Judge, Moyock, NC
- Hanna Keller, Referee, Spencerville, OH
- Samuel Myers, Umpire, Delphos, OH
- Alexander Krieg, Head Linesman, Centerville, OH
- Jake Wells, Line Judge, Dayton, OH
- Adam Minnick, Back Judge, Columbus, OH
- Mark Keller, Center Judge, Delphos, OH
- Tony Montana, Referee, Warren, OH
- Eric Marino, Umpire, Niles, OH
- Joseph Bettura, Head Linesman, Canfield, OH
- Pat Montana, Line Judge, Girard, OH
- Robert Marino, Back Judge, Niles, OH
- John Patton, Center Judge, Youngstown, OH
- Bill McKeever, Referee, Philadelphia, PA
- Chris Iles, Umpire, Philadelphia, PA
- John McCarry, Head Linesman, Springfield, PA
- Andre Williams, Line Judge, Philadelphia, PA
- Joe Kelly, Back Judge, Langhorne, PA
- Kevin Leneghan, Side Judge, Philadelphia, PA
- James Harris, Field Judge, Philadelphia, PA
- Darren DeFranco, Referee, Lake City, PA
- Chris McNally, Umpire, Girard, PA
- Norm Stanford, Head Linesman, Lawrence Park, PA
- Lisa Spacht, Line Judge, Mill Creek, PA
- Chet Skinner, Back Judge, Waterford, PA
- Daniel Bross, Side Judge, Wattsburg, PA
- Jon Muller, Field Judge, Mill Creek, PA
- Jason Martin, Referee, Friendsville, TN
- Brent Baker, Umpire, Farragut, TN
- Alex Hibbett, Head Linesman, Knoxville, TN
- Andy Ackerman, Line Judge, Knoxville, TN
- Joe Hemphill, Back Judge, Clinton, TN
- Robert Cameron, Referee, Lubbock, TX
- Phil Atkins, Umpire, Seminole, TX
- James Carr, Head Linesman, El Paso, TX
- Robert Martin, Line Judge, Amarillo, TX
- Brandon Lock, Back Judge, San Angelo, TX
- Cantrel Gatson, Side Judge, Dallas, TX
- Jeff Holt, Field Judge, Commerce, TX
- Kenny Kelarek, Referee, Salado, TX
- Adam Castillo, Umpire, Waco, TX
- Rick Littleton, Head Linesman, College Station, TX
- David Powell, Line Judge, Houston, TX
- Eric Schmitt, Back Judge, San Antonio, TX
- Clayton Dawson, Side Judge, Corpus Christi, TX
- Howard Schauer, Field Judge, Corpus Christi, TX
- Lee McGuire, Referee, Williamsburg, VA
- Zachary Ray, Umpire, Newport News, VA
- Steve Hagwood, Head Linesman, Newport News, VA
- Andy Cimaglio, Line Judge, Newport News, VA
- Matlock Mennu, Back Judge, Newport News, VA
- Josh Taylor, Side Judge, Poquoson, VA
- David Brooks, Field Judge, Newport News, VA
- Jeffery Harlow, Referee, University Place, WA
- Matthew Matteo, Umpire, Lake Tapps, WA
- Sherrie Hill, Head Linesman, Tacoma, WA
- Keon Edwards, Line Judge, Spanaway, WA
- Connor Nelson, Back Judge, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
- Jason Wilkinson, Referee, Charleston, WV
- Jeff Dodd, Umpire, Millsboro, DE
- Jeff Harding, Head Linesman, Mount Nebo, WV
- Kevin Smith, Line Judge, Kerens, WV
- James Phillips, Back Judge, Cumberland, MD
- David Riedel, Side Judge, Proctorville, OH
- Sam Jones, Field Judge, Tiltonsville, OH
- Chris Renzelmann, Referee, Merrill, WI
- Nick Neds, Umpire, Deerfield, WI
- Tim Shaw, Head Linesman, Edgerton, WI
- Terry Steinmetz, Line Judge, Bloomer, WI
- Tommie Williams, Back Judge, De Pere, WI
Recognizing High School Officials
Pathway to the Pros
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.
“Developing and sustaining a strong pipeline of officials requires a commitment to education, mentorship, support, investment, and recognition at every level of the game. Officials play an essential role in preserving the integrity of competition and providing positive experiences for student-athletes. Initiatives like the NFL’s Crew of the Month and Crew of the Year shine a well-deserved spotlight on the professionalism, teamwork, and dedication of these individuals. The NFHS is proud to support this effort with the NFL as we work together to recognize our officials, strengthen the pipeline, and ensure the future of officiating remains strong for generations to come.”
DAVIs WHITFIELD
NFHS CEO/Executive Director
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.
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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