Sept 21, 2007 - Morgan vs Ogden

Ron Haycock - HL, Craig Adams - R, Steve Johnson - U, Dave Storey - LJ, Wyatt Cole - BJ

Both teams played tough, but Morgan just had more horses and came out on top 24-7. We had too many penalties to count and the game did seem to go long, plus it was homecoming so it made for a longer night than usual. The weather was the best of the year and the mountains blocked the usual western setting sun. Great night for football.

Morgan has some new construction in progress and when finished, will have an officials room in the new addition. They were very hospitable to us and the drinks at half time were very much appreciated.

Sept 14, 2007 - Layton vs Davis

Craig Adams - HL, Mike Reimer - LJ, Dave Christensen - R,
Justin Nelson - BJ, Bruce Stokes - U

Layton is for real. They had a tough defense and a sharp offense to hand Davis a 21-0 defeat. There was a nice crowd there and the sun is finally starting to set early enough to see the game when facing into the western sky. Dave C. was doing his first varsity game since foot surgery and albeit a little ginger, seemed to move just fine.

Sept 7, 2007 - West Jordan vs Taylorsville

Tim Carr - U, Cameron Jackson - BJ, Grant Nielsen - R, Jim Kilburn - LJ, Craig Adams - H

Taylorsville held a 14-0 lead at half time, but couldn't get things going in the 2nd half and gave up 19 points to West Jordan. I was surprised at the crowd... or the lack thereof. The field was a little tight on the sideline due to the space allotted and the chain link fence holding them from going back further.

August 31, 2007 - Bear River vs Box Elder

Curtis Germany - LJ, Jerry Everett - U, Steve Wallerstien - R, Clarence 'CJ' Jones - BJ, Craig Adams - HL

The game was not as I expected, but Bear River was off to a rough start this year. There were 3 close goal line plays that if they had converted would have tied the game at 14 in the 4th quarter, but Box Elder held them. The Labor Day holiday made traffic pretty busy getting north of Roy, which is not common, but we all made it on time. Thanks to Jill in the snack shack for the pizza and drinks at half-time. The 'Spike' game ended with Box Elder beating Bear River 21-7.

Aug 24, 2007 - Viewmont vs Lone Peak

Chris Reid - LJ, Tad Campbell (mr clean) - BJ, Drew Weidman - U, Matt Mills - R, Craig Adams - HL

One of the true passions I have for the game of football is the sun in my eyes when I am positioned as a Head Linesman. Most fields in our area run north and south, thus for the first half of the game I have to battle getting a blast of sun in my eyes while the rest of the crew wonders about perhaps their tan being uneven. All kidding aside it's still a blast to see what game you've missed in the first half.

August 17, 2007 - Roy vs Syracuse

Syracuse vs Roy - First Game ever for Syracuse High

Rick Brenkmann - HL, Chris Reid - BJ, Craig Adams - R, Brian Davies - LJ, Steve Johnson - U

We were the lucky ones that someday will be able to say, 'we did the first game at Syracuse'. The game started out sour for Syracuse as Roy ran back the opening kickoff and cruised to 41-6 victory. I was surprised how well they did play for their first game as Roy didn't really pull away until the fourth quarter.

How it all began

I am a football official. I have officiated from little league to Jr. College but I love doing high school football. I started officiating in junior high school doing intramural basketball for our football and P.E. coach, Bernie Yoacham. He was the guy that started me on my road to officiating. (That's Bernie on the picture above on the right). I didn't really like having to call games with guys that I had to sit next to in another class later on in the day, but it taught me a lot of lessons that one can only learn from having been put in that situation. Life is tough. Tough calls sometimes go for you but for the most part they go against you. Learning to live with it was what he taught us.Just before our last 9th grade football game of the season, Bernie took the 9th graders aside in the cafeteria and told us that for a lot of us, it would be the last time we would ever suit up in football gear again. Some might go on to college, but he was honest in saying it would be a miracle if even 1 made it to a pro team. (He was right, no one ever did. In fact only a few played college ball at all from a team that was undefeated that season.) He told us if we loved sports and wanted to stay close to the game, to start officiating. It was only later, that I would learn to appreciate those words. Now, as a man of 47 with 15 years of football officiating experience, I can see not only the wisdom, but the honesty in those words. I do love the game of football and I am glad to be a part of it today.