THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Enumclaw High School Athletics

The association now contracts to work high school games in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson and Washington counties. Preseason jamborees and kickoff classics in August are excellent as training sessions to re-acclimate even veteran referees, and along with preseason scrimmages held by various schools remain a good place to break in new officials without affecting the outcome of a regular-season game. Officials commonly start out at a lower level of competition before moving up to high school games, of which the association might staff six or seven on a given Friday night. Bruner said that including all levels he calls about 40 games every fall. During the season the association continues to meet every Sunday night to assess games from the previous Friday and get crew assignments for the coming week. Bruner said the average age of referees in his group is about 50, and that it can be difficult at times attracting younger members. One of the drawbacks is the initial financial outlay for a background check, various state fees and a uniform kit. The beginning cost can total about $400, and it’s not as if officiating football is a lucrative part-time vocation. Bruner said that compensation for high school games has increased from $25 per game to $60 during his career and mileage to and from games from 25 cents per mile to 60, with the stipulation that all of the referees ride together. “It usually jumps five dollars for a playoff game and I think it’s 75 dollars for a state final,” Bruner said. He has officiated three state championships in his career, and noted the mandate that the association cannot have had a contract with either team during the regular season to be cleared to work a postseason game. Bruner said that officials must get 70 questions correct on a 100-question rule test to become certified. Every season includes rule changes, many he said in recent seasons to emphasize and positively affect safety. No longer an umpire Bruner no longer occupies the “umpire” role that places him in harm’s way in the middle of a defensive formation. The head referee is positioned about 10 yards behind the quarterback at the start of the play. His role is to announce all penalties, explain penalties to the offending team’s captain and coach and inform them which player is responsible for the penalty. He also monitors illegal hits on the quarterback, watches for illegal blocks near the quarterback, determines if the yardage chains are needed on the field for a measurement and basically orchestrates how the crew officiates the game

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Enumclaw High School Athletics

JAMBOREES ARE TRAINING SESSIONS

PAT MCCANN

Panama City News Herald | 7/13/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Bay High School Athletics