GHSF Daily is expanding its Four Questions feature this season beyond head coaches to other voices in high school football. Today's interviewee is Gene Sherry, president of the Southern Eagle Football Officials Association in Statesboro. Sherry has officiated Georgia high school football games for 23 years.
Gene Sherry, official
1. What's the most memorable game that you've officiated? "There are a lot of great Friday nights over the course of 30 years, but I have had the opportunity to work multiple Vidalia vs. Toombs County rivalry games, and no matter the year or their records, it is always a special night in their respective venues and the way the two fan bases support their teams. One other game of note was when Swainsboro overcame a 28-point fourth-quarter deficit against Laney to win the game."
2. What is a rule, or a situation, that many fans, players or coaches don't understand or appreciate? "In today's environment, operating as a quality official and a quality officials association requires way more time, effort and commitment than many people understand. The standards, regulations, requirements and expectations that have been created due to the rise of sports as big business directly impact a high school official and others involved in the game. The risk and requirements have exceeded that of a volunteer and now require individuals and associations to operate as small businesses. The economy of haves and have-nots in high school sports is real. It is easy to focus on and recognize the elite classes and schools, but for 12 regular-season Fridays all across the state, all involved expect excellence from individuals who have jobs, families and personal challenges of their own."
3. Who is the best player you've seen in a game that you've officiated? "You inevitably leave people out when you are asked this type of question, but a few names that come to mind are: Nick Marshall of Wilcox County, Justin Houston, Jeremy Mincey and DeAngelo Tyson of Statesboro, Nick Eason of Toombs County and Nate McBride of Vidalia."
4. Which football or GHSA rule would you like to see changed? "I would like to adopt the college rule related to the minimum number of players on the line of scrimmage. This would allow us to simply count the backfield. Currently if a team has only 10 players in the game, it would be a penalty if they only had six players on the line of scrimmage."
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