With fewer referees, Bay Area high school teams are no longer guaranteed to play on Friday nights.
LOS GATOS – Crouched in a low stance, Brian Blassingame waited for a signal from his superior before he started moving across the Los Gatos High football field. Some 25 yards away, his teammate stalked the sidelines and shuffled off the line of scrimmage after the snap.
“A short week messes with teams,” Wilcox coach Paul Rosa said. “When you have to play on a Saturday, and then turn around and play on a Thursday, it breaks up the rhythm of the week.” Longtime referee Tom Gersey instructs Tyson Rafferty during a high school football referee training session led by Rick Moore, of Bay Area Sports Officials, at Los Gatos High School on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.
Being able to communicate effectively with players and coaches is an essential skill, several officials noted. Pay is another issue behind the referee shortage. Given the rise in gas prices and the cost of equipment – uniforms, whistles, etc. – it’s tough to break even. Practice isn’t easy for officials. Obsessing over the correct number of steps, standing in a certain position and other minute details are all part of the process. One incorrect motion is quickly chastised by supervisors who know that such a blunder could lead to a missed call in a real game.
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