GHSF Daily is expanding its Four Questions feature this season beyond head coaches to other voices in high school football. Today's interviewee is Keith Hammond, a GHSA official for more than 35 years, working four sports. Hammond is a past president of the Georgia Football Officials Association in Atlanta and a member of its board of directors.
Keith Hammond, official
1. What's the most memorable game that you've worked? "I have been fortunate to work some outstanding games, including state championships, but none has been closer than 10 points. There is nothing better than a Friday night with a packed house in South Georgia. Most recently was the 2017 AAAAAAA matchup in Valdosta between Lowndes and Colquitt that decided the Region 1 championship in double overtime. I worked the first 100-point game ever in Georgia in 1988 between Brunswick and Groves, all done with a four-man crew. There were 73 points scored in the first half alone as Groves scored with every trick play in the book. There were 17 kickoffs, and I've never been so tired after a game. This was long before no-huddle and spread offenses. But my favorite is actually a Thursday afternoon JV game in Jasper from the early 2000s - Lumpkin County at Pickens. It was a close and well-played game, and with about four minutes to go, Pickens scored from near midfield on the old hook-and-lateral play to tie the score. Well, Lumpkin had the same play in their playbook, ran it to perfection and scored less than a minute later on it to take the lead. Pickens ball, a few plays later and they dial up another hook-and-lateral, another score. Lumpkin ball, another drive, another score on the hook-and-lateral, and they now lead after converting the two-point PAT. By now, everybody on the field knows what's coming, and no one can seem to stop it. Pickens ball, and two plays later the Dragons score yet again on the hook-and-lateral to take a four-point lead, 32-28. Lumpkin has one more chance with less than 20 seconds to go. Lumpkin moved inside the Pickens 40 with four seconds to go and it's hook-and-lateral time. Lumpkin completes it at the 30, makes the perfect lateral toss, and the Indians player raced down the sideline where he is tackled at the 1-yard line as time expires. Both teams were spent. It was the best four minutes of football, and there were at least 10 successful hook-and-laterals run in that time. The old adage 'every game is a big game' rang so true that afternoon in Jasper."
2. What is a rule or situation that fans commonly misunderstand? "I know others will talk about the quarterback and the tackle box as it applies to intentional grounding, but the real situation facing coaches and fans is the decreasing number of officials. Last year, a study was done and found the average age of GHSA officials statewide is their early 50s. And we're not getting any younger. There just are not enough young officials filling the rosters as the older officials retire. And when they do start, they often begin at lower levels of sub-varsity and recreation leagues where overzealous coaches and fans can often ruin their initial experience and most are gone within the first three years. Officials work for months on their craft, all at their own expense, including association meetings, study sessions and camps, and this takes up to eight months a year inclusive of the season. And then we do it again the next season. It is a huge time commitment and time away from family. So many potential officials cannot spend three or four days/nights a week from August-December in this type of avocation. I started officiating sports at the age of 14. I'll never be rich by officiating, but I've made lifelong friends, and now we truly need others to answer the call and stay involved in the game of football."
3. Who is the best player that you've seen while working a game? "Again, I've been very fortunate to have worked games with many of the tremendous players in our state. Deshaun Watson, Jake Fromm, Tyreke Hill, Justin Fields, Nick Chubb, Asher Allen, Da'Rick Rogers, Richard Samuel, Lorenzo Carter and Greg Reid come to mind immediately. Nobody played harder from snap to whistle than Reuben Foster [while at Troup]. Pound for pound, no one was better than 5-9, 165-pound Monte Williams of Commerce, the state's all-time leading rusher. I worked nine of his games over his four years, including two where he rushed for over 300 yards. But one night against GAC in Commerce, the Spartans were determined to not let him beat them. Williams carried 40 times for about 110 yards with only one gain over 10 yards, the one that clinched the game with a first down that allowed the Tigers to run out the clock in a physical 13-10 game. But, if I have to name one player, it's actually an offensive tackle - Mitch Hyatt of North Gwinnett. As referees, we begin the play with our offside tackle as our key in order to determine run or pass. I knew Hyatt was talented and a Super 11 preseason pick and seemingly had a great game, but when I reviewed the film the next week, it was the most dominant performance I'd ever seen. Those other guys often got the headlines, but Hyatt is the brightest star on my list."
4. What is your favorite stadium or venue to work a game? "Here's a top four with an all-time favorite: Mack Tharpe, Colquitt County; The Reservation, Stephens County; Phil Reeve, Calhoun; and Grady Stadium - that Atlanta skyline on a crisp autumn night! But my all-time favorite is Tiger Stadium in Commerce. Cozy confines, outstanding fan base and those eyes in the Tiger in the end zone. Small town football atmosphere at its finest."
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