News Summary

High school football in Northern Nevada is undergoing significant changes due to an official shortage, leading to games being rescheduled from Fridays to Thursdays and Saturdays. The Northern Nevada Football Officials Association is calling for more officials, especially women, to help alleviate the shortage. With only about 70 officials available, this season could see teams facing tough logistical challenges. Efforts are underway to recruit new referees, with training sessions planned to prepare them for the upcoming season.

Say Goodbye to Friday Night Lights in Northern Nevada!

Attention all football fans in Northern Nevada! The buzz is strong, but it’s not about game day excitement. This season, high school football is getting a bit of a shake-up! Due to an official shortage, many of our beloved Friday night games will now be played on Thursdays or Saturdays. That’s right, Friday night lights are dimming a bit this year!

The Official Dilemma

With only about 70 officials available, Northern Nevada’s high school football scene is in a tight spot. The head of the Northern Nevada Football Officials Association (NNFOA), Tony Kiriluk, has set his sights of around 85 officials to ensure that every game can go off without a hitch. The football season kicks off with an exciting game on Thursday, August 14, with the bulk of games filling the field on August 15. However, around 50 officials are expected to be ready for varsity games, meaning some schools could be left in a crunch as officials juggle their time and commitments.

Why the Change?

It’s been noted that the NNFOA used to have enough hands on deck to cover about 10 games on a Friday night seamlessly. But the landscape has changed, and this year, some smaller school games might only have a bare minimum of four officials patrolling the sidelines. As it stands, the association could really use 15 more officials to keep everything running smoothly, minimizing the need to reschedule games. With a decline in experienced veteran officials also playing a part in this staffing shortage, Kiriluk is keen to find solutions.

A Call to Action

In response to this growing concern, the NNFOA is sending out a friendly invite—especially to women—to consider stepping up as referees. Encouraging diversity among officials has been a priority, and they’ve seen a rise in the number of women getting involved in recent seasons. Interested individuals can easily jump on the NNFOA website to find the online signup form under the “become an official” section.

Getting Trained Up!

For those new recruits, a rules clinic is planned for Saturday, August 2. This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring officials to gear up with vital training just before the season kicks into high gear on August 15. The importance of quality officiating cannot be stressed enough, especially with a busy schedule ahead.

This Season’s Schedule

As football fans take a glance at the upcoming season, they’ll notice there are five Fridays where the initial schedule has more than 10 varsity games on the books. That’s certainly a recipe for chaos without the right number of officials. To make sure that even those packed nights run as smoothly as possible, Kiriluk is reaching out to both the Eastern Nevada and Central Nevada officials associations for extra helping hands when needed. Plus, officials from Reno-Sparks will lend their support to fellow classes in Eastern Nevada whenever possible.

Compensation for Officials

In case you’re wondering about the perks, compensation for officials is set at $95 for varsity games and $75 for junior varsity games. So it’s not just about the love of the game—there’s a nice little incentive too!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, Northern Nevada! As we gear up for this football season, don’t be surprised if your Friday tradition transforms into a Thursday or Saturday event. If you’ve ever thought about becoming an official, now’s your time to shine. With teamwork and a community spirit, we can ensure that our beloved high school football will continue to thrive! Let’s rally together for a memorable season ahead!

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