The Pike County High School varsity Pirates football game will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. instead of under the Friday night lights this week due to a shortage of referees. The game was moved to Thursday but forecasts of storms caused the game to be moved to Wednesday. It was also announced that parking will not be available in the grassy area in front of the primary school for sporting and other events.
“Due to weather concerns regarding Hurricane Helene, the Pike County High School and Callaway High School administration and coaching staff have made the decision to move Thursday’s varsity football game to Wednesday at 7 p.m. Thank you for your understanding in this matter, and as always, student and spectator safety is priority one in our decision-making process. Go Pirates!” said a message on the school system’s website.
“The Pike County School System is constructing new tennis courts in the field in front of the Primary School. This area will not be available for parking for the remainder of the football season. Please feel free to park at the high school, elementary school, or any remaining areas on campus. Also, just a reminder that due to a shortage of referees, next week’s football game against Callaway has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. There will be a couple of activities happening on campus that night, so please prepare to arrive early to ensure parking. Sorry for any inconvenience and Go Pirates!”
A shortage of referees is nothing new for Georgia High School Association sporting events and in 2022, several state playoffs were even re-scheduled to help with the shortage.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, in some states, Friday Night Lights have become Thursday or Saturday Night Lights to accommodate the lack of officials.
“The shortage of officials in high school – and middle school – sports has been a growing concern for several years – in large part due to unsportsmanlike behavior by parents and other adult fans,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS director.
Some schools in other states have implemented new policies to help retain officials, including ejecting any player, coach or spectator for unsportsmanlike behavior directed toward an official for all games until the suspension has been served.
“As fall high school sports swing into full action this month, let’s respect the men and women who are giving of their free time so that once-in-a-lifetime opportunities of high school activities can continue for our nation’s youth,” said Niehoff.
Referees make the following per varsity sporting event according to the Georgia High School Association 2024-26 game fee chart: football (crew of six) – $128 per official, baseball (crew of two) – $80; basketball (crew of three) – $75 per official; gymnastics – $70; soccer – $88 per official; softball – $78 per umpire; volleyball – $60 for best of three matches and $80 for best of five matches; and wrestling – $88 for dual match, $80 for tri or quad match and $5.75 for individual matches.
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