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 September 2026.
- Garnett Ray, Referee, Phenix City, AL
- Hunter Clayton, Umpire, Phenix City, AL
- Jimmy Roberts, Head Linesman, Phenix City, AL
- Timothy Browder, Line Judge, Phenix City, AL
- Walter Markwas, Back Judge, Phenix City, AL
- Henry Gross, Side Judge, Phenix City, AL
- Shawn Fisher, Field Judge, Phenix City, AL
- Brendon Ulatowski, Referee, Peoria, AZ
- Anthony Miller, Umpire, Phoenix, AZ
- Rich Hamilton, Head Linesman, Mesa, AZ
- Jeremiah Hann, Line Judge, Avondale, AZ
- Max Heckel, Back Judge, Gilbert, AZ
- Barrett Fuhrmann, Side Judge, Gilbert, AZ
- Spencer Shockness, Field Judge, Scottsdale, AZ
- Terry Bernard, Referee, Jamul, CA
- Michael Weseloh, Umpire, Oceanside, CA
- David Collins, Head Linesman, Temecula, CA
- Jimmy Christensen, Line Judge, Vista, CA
- Jordan Graves, Back Judge, Chula Vista, CA
- Devonta Cunningham, Side Judge, San Diego, CA
- Lavil Franklin, Field Judge, National City, CA
- Tyrone Clark, Referee, Carson, CA
- Anthony Engeron, Umpire, Northridge, CA
- Derek Stewart, Head Linesman, Inglewood, CA
- Mario Matos, Line Judge, Los Angeles, CA
- Anthony Corona, Back Judge, Arleta, CA
- Ed Baltierrez, Side Judge, Glendora, CA
- Fredoro Alexander, Field Judge, Cudahy, CA
- Michael Gasvoda, Referee, Los Gatos, CA
- Brian Blassingame, Umpire, Santa Clara, CA
- Mary Podesta, Head Linesman, San Mateo, CA
- Omar Bennett, Line Judge, San Jose, CA
- David Velleman, Back Judge, San Jose, CA
- Ed Filangeri, Side Judge, San Francisco, CA
- John Stratton, Field Judge, San Jose, CA
- Chris Spencer, Referee, Denver, CO
- Lindsey Englehart, Line Judge, Denver, CO
- Jed Palmer, Back Judge, Denver, CO
- Justin Read, Field Judge, Denver, CO
- Richard Howard, Referee, Ocala, FL
- Ernie Benjamin, Umpire, Ocala, FL
- Thomas Thagard, Head Linesman, Ocala, FL
- Ronnie Risby, Line Judge, Ocala, FL
- Jerry Cummings, Back Judge, Ocala, FL
- Brett Brecheisen, Referee, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Dennis Plaska, Umpire, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Kelvin Washington, Head Linesman, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- George Bracy, Line Judge, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Solomon Vanterpool, Back Judge, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Samuel Wiedorfer, Side Judge, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Isaac Hughes, Center Judge, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- LeShay Bernstein, Field Judge, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Tony Cole, Referee, Tampa, FL
- Danny McGhee, Umpire, Tampa, FL
- Antoine Reed, Head Linesman, Tampa, FL
- Trent Taylor, Line Judge, Tampa, FL
- Thomas Martin, Back Judge, Tampa, FL
- Greg Norton, Referee, Blue Ridge, GA
- Austin Woolen, Umpire, Rome, GA
- Charlie Wood, Head Linesman, Ball Ground, GA
- Brent Dotson, Line Judge, Chatsworth, GA
- Landon Norton, Side Judge, Dawsonville, GA
- Ryan Norton, Field Judge, Dawsonville, GA
- Jeff Otterby, Referee, West Chicago, IL
- Scott Vandermoon, Umpire, Palatine, IL
- Steve Honacki, Head Linesman, Chicago, IL
- Jon Lueken, Line Judge, Naperville, IL
- Robert Ybarra, Back Judge, Montgomery, IL
- Mike Eason, Referee, Cumberland, IN
- Casey Earle, Umpire, Fishers, IN
- Jerry Blum, Head Linesman, Greenfield, IN
- Stu Casper, Line Judge, Westfield, IN
- Joe Esposito, Back Judge, Greenwood, IN
- Josh Maike, Referee, Silver Lake, KS
- Blake Thorson, Umpire, Wheaton, KS
- Jay Harmison, Head Linesman, Olsburg, KS
- Joshua Marquardt, Line Judge, Wamego, KS
- Isaiah Tetuan, Back Judge, Topeka, KS
- Brian Napier, Referee, Chavies, KY
- Jake Johnson, Umpire, Chavies, KY
- Corey Allen, Head Linesman, Vancleve, KY
- Glenn Miller, Line Judge, Bonnyman, KY
- Travis Perry, Back Judge, Bonnyman, KY
- Kristie Combs, Side Judge, Hazard, KY
- Chase Fugate, Field Judge, Jackson, KY
- Daniel Robinson, Referee, Shreveport, LA
- Eric Butler, Umpire, Metairie, LA
- Larry Brown, Head Linesman, Youngsville, LA
- Paul Day, Line Judge, DeQuincy, LA
- Jairen Pichon, Back Judge, Ocean Springs, MS
- Codie Granier, Side Judge, Thibodaux, LA
- Ron Lindo, Field Judge, Ball, LA
- Ken Gardner, Referee, Joppa, MD
- Steven Davids, Umpire, Forest Hill, MD
- Dave Montgomery, Head Linesman, Bel Air, MD
- Steve Warner, Line Judge, Elkton, MD
- Michael Flosser, Side Judge, Havre de Grace, MD
- Brandon Neff, Field Judge, Bel Air, MD
- Richard Harrington, Referee, North Reading, MA
- John Deskavich, Umpire, Melrose, MA
- Brian Harrington, Head Linesman, Exeter, NH
- Brian Planz, Line Judge, Boston, MA
- Peter McCarthy, Back Judge, Chelmsford, MA
- Mike Gentry, Referee, Shelby Township, MI
- David Prince, Umpire, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
- Shane Smith, Head Linesman, Ann Arbor, MI
- Scott Suminski, Line Judge, Roseville, MI
- Carson Roose, Back Judge, St. Clair Shores, MI
- Jordan Pearson, Side Judge, Roseville, MI
- Craig Goepper, Field Judge, Shelby Township, MI
- Royce Ruter, Referee, Byron, MN
- Tom O’Neill, Umpire, Esko, MN
- Matt Sogla, Head Linesman, Rochester, MN
- Rick Kehoe, Line Judge, Bemidji, MN
- Chad McGraw, Back Judge, St. Cloud, MN
- Mark Boone, Referee, Clinton, MS
- Kenneth Bracey, Umpire, Clinton, MS
- Zachary Boone, Head Linesman, Clinton, MS
- Lee Alderman, Line Judge, Clinton, MS
- Tobias Bruce, Back Judge, Clinton, MS
- Marcus Monger, Side Judge, Clinton, MS
- John Warren, Field Judge, Clinton, MS
- Brian Keath, Referee, Kansas City, MO
- Matthew Cellar, Umpire, Lee’s Summit, MO
- Brian Hyatt, Head Linesman, Kansas City, MO
- Ike Stearns III, Line Judge, Kansas City, MO
- Tyler Buckman, Back Judge, Blue Springs, MO
- Erin Claunch, Referee, Billings, MT
- Pat Scott, Umpire, Billings, MT
- Barry Cronk, Head Linesman, Billings, MT
- Reggie Hague, Line Judge, Billings, MT
- Corby Freitag, Back Judge, Billings, MT
- Ed Gaston, Referee, North Las Vegas, NV
- Tau Felise, Umpire, Henderson, NV
- John Longo, Head Linesman, Las Vegas, NV
- Delbert Leavitt, Line Judge, Las Vegas, NV
- Richard Cieri, Back Judge, Las Vegas, NV
- Nicholas Scotti, Side Judge, Las Vegas, NV
- Cornelius Holleman, Field Judge, Las Vegas, NV
- Chris Sasse, Referee, Williamstown, NJ
- Jay Wolf, Umpire, Williamstown, NJ
- Mike Jaskowski, Head Linesman, Moorestown, NJ
- Zach Apt, Line Judge, Williamstown, NJ
- Tracey Williams, Side Judge, Sicklerville, NJ
- Aaron Clark, Field Judge, Camden, NJ
- Michael Binkowski, Referee, Cheektowaga, NY
- Joe Argentieri, Umpire, Lancaster, NY
- Paul Gugino, Head Linesman, Amherst, NY
- Tony Scanzuso, Line Judge, Williamsville, NY
- Josh Huber, Back Judge, Cheektowaga, NY
- Frank Sammartano, Referee, Jericho, NY
- Ed Wallace, Umpire, Massapequa, NY
- Matt Kohut, Head Linesman, North Merrick, NY
- Jim Behan, Line Judge, Westbury, NY
- Mike Mormino, Back Judge, Farmingdale, NY
- Bob Miller, Referee, Gastonia, NC
- Joe Spencer, Umpire, Knightdale, NC
- Lee Cheek, Head Linesman, Asheboro, NC
- Daniel McNabb, Line Judge, Murphy, NC
- Wesley Roberts, Back Judge, Waynesville, NC
- Steve Smith, Side Judge, Goldsboro, NC
- Tommy Brigman, Field Judge, Laurinburg, NC
- Lonnie Freeman, Referee, Hilliard, OH
- Brett Maniaci, Umpire, Plain City, OH
- Aaron Bracone, Head Linesman, Pataskala, OH
- Michael Hamer, Line Judge, Columbus, OH
- Joey Maniaci, Back Judge, Delaware, OH
- Dan Giangardella, Center Judge, Dublin, OH
- Kevin Katafias, Referee, Genoa, OH
- David Hossler, Umpire, Tiffin, OH
- Jeffrey Clere, Head Linesman, Oregon, OH
- Derek Krueger, Line Judge, Archbold, OH
- Derek Diller, Back Judge, Holland, OH
- Dexter Krueger, Center Judge, Archbold, OH
- Pat Petrone, Referee, Drums, PA
- Tom Halcisak, Umpire, Emmaus, PA
- Kerry Kalinoski, Head Linesman, Emmaus, PA
- Tim Scheeler, Line Judge, Mahanoy City, PA
- Luke Thorpe, Back Judge, Easton, PA
- Jamie Heydt, Side Judge, Lehighton, PA
- Noah Sparandeo, Field Judge, Easton, PA
- Lou Idzojtic, Referee, Indiana, PA
- Andrew Lubert, Umpire, Ebensburg, PA
- Charles Terek, Head Linesman, Cresson, PA
- Tracy Cornelius, Line Judge, Orbisonia, PA
- Todd Moss, Back Judge, Bellefonte, PA
- Todd Parker, Side Judge, Altoona, PA
- Mike Rendos, Field Judge, Lock Haven, PA
- Don Pemberton, Referee, Wildersville, TN
- Paul Hare, Umpire, Jackson, TN
- Stephen Richardson, Head Linesman, Jackson, TN
- Reginald Sims, Line Judge, Bells, TN
- Alex Thorton, Back Judge, Henderson, TN
- Herbert Johnson, Electronic Clock Operator, Beech Bluff, TN
- Mike Bressler, Referee, Amarillo, TX
- Dan Davila, Umpire, El Paso, TX
- Jeff Matta, Head Linesman, Permian Basin, TX
- Blake Swanner, Line Judge, South Plains, TX
- Paul Wallace, Back Judge, Abilene, TX
- Michael Frazier, Side Judge, North Texas
- Carter Bedford, Field Judge, Fort Worth, TX
- Todd Denton, Referee, Waco, TX
- Les Schminkey, Umpire, Tyler, TX
- Pilar Torres, Head Linesman, Central Texas
- Curtis Evans, Line Judge, Stephen F. Austin, TX
- Darrell Schmidt, Back Judge, College Station, TX
- Chad Nevils, Side Judge, Southeast Texas
- Corey Hall, Field Judge, Austin, TX
- Gregg Bahr, Referee, Pleasant Grove, UT
- Josh Harrington, Umpire, St. George, UT
- Nathanael Plaizier, Head Linesman, Bountiful, UT
- Mike Davis, Line Judge, Vernal, UT
- Jordan Oswald, Back Judge, Beaver, UT
- Todd Lyman, Deep Judge, Bluffdale, UT
- Scotty McCracken, Referee, Lebanon, VA
- Barry Yost, Umpire, Lebanon, VA
- Cecil Coleman, Head Linesman, Abingdon, VA
- Brad Christian, Line Judge, Gate City, VA
- Robert Majors, Back Judge, Cedar Bluff, VA
- Bobby Gilbert, Side Judge, Marion, VA
- John Campbell, Field Judge, Bristol, VA
- Steve Felker, Referee, Spokane, WA
- Chuck Latimer, Umpire, Spokane, WA
- Barry Huck, Head Linesman, Hauser, ID
- Jack Jensen, Line Judge, Spokane, WA
- Rob Bartlett, Back Judge, Spokane, WA
- Larry McCloy, Referee, Parkersburg, WV
- Alex Kingery, Umpire, Winfield, WV
- Jason Farmer, Head Linesman, Princeton, WV
- Phil Porter, Line Judge, Barboursville, WV
- Jimmy Sperlazza, Back Judge, Wellsburg, WV
- Marty Jones, Side Judge, Beckley, WV
- Izac Babiczuk, Field Judge, Glen Dale, WV
- Josh Gould, Referee, Amery, WI
- Shannon Rysewyk, Umpire, Marinette, WI
- Jeason Thomas, Head Linesman, Kaukauna, WI
- Ben Leibl, Line Judge, La Crosse, WI
- Gerald Lang, Back Judge, Verona, 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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