Montana in need of officials for upcoming football season

MISSOULA, Mont. — With high school football right around the corner, the Montana High School Association is looking for officials at all levels from youth to high school.

President of Missoula Football Officials Josh Rollins says it’s imperative to get officials because some teams are having to change up their schedule.

“We've had to push JV and varsity games back timewise till we can get more officials who aren’t able to get off work in time. So we're stretched thin, we're going to continue to see a decline in the number of officials -- that's only going to happen more and more. We never want to have to cancel a game. Coaches work too hard, kids work too hard; too many people have too much invested in their high school football programs and their careers to have it undone by lack of officials,” said Rollins.

With western Montana being such a large area, officials are spread out trying to get to all the games.

“Missoula football pool here, we cover 23 area schools from down in the Bitterroot to all of Missoula and northwest to the border and east to Drummond. So we are stretched thin, and we cover all AA, A, B and C schools to 6-man, 8-man schools, so any given Friday night almost every single member of our pool is working a game,” said Rollins.

Rollins says becoming an official is great for college kids or previous athletes and men and women. Those interested can come to their first meeting, which is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 6:30 pm at St. Patrick Hospital Conference Center.

The AA season gets underway Friday, Aug. 30.

If you're interested in officiating click here for more information.