With high school soccer playoffs beginning today, I was glad to have the opportunity last week to chat with three soccer officials who were working a pair of high school games between county rivals. Both the boys and girls games carried playoff ramifications.

The Referee was Bill Dahlman of Brandon. Bill has officiated soccer for 14 years and continues to officiate at the club and college level as well as high school contests. Soccer is the only sport Dahlman officiates.

Bill played soccer through junior high, but his career ended because his high school did not offer soccer at that time. He loves the game and noted the referee position gives him the best seat in the house. All three of Dahlman’s sons played soccer, and all three officiate soccer. None of the three officiates any other sport.

The assistant referees for the games I watched were Ya Lee, who has officiated soccer since 1983 and Jeff Parker, in his second year officiating soccer. Mr. Lee worked the night’s second game as referee, while Mr. Dahlman moved to assistant.

Mr. Lee works no other sport, but he does also officiate club and some college soccer games.

Jeff Parker, the third official that night, is in his second year officiating soccer. He called basketball at one time but now does soccer only. He was unclear how long he will have to officiate at the assistant position before he gains high school assignments at the referee slot.

High school soccer officials are assigned games by someone who might be called the assigning secretary for their region, but they all fall under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi High School Activities Association.

The officials noted there are few rules variations between club, high school and college soccer, and these mainly pertain to substitutions and throw-ins.

All soccer people seem to hate the name football having been usurped by the American game, feeling that soccer should be the only game to truly deserve that name. Perhaps they are right, but I don’t see that changing any time soon.

The college football (American football, that is) season just won’t come to an end. There were two college all-star games last Saturday, and the Senior Bowl will happen next Saturday.

The officiating assignments for those games are generally handed down rather that being assigned by a particular conference.

The Senior Bowl was handled that way for many years, and you saw the same officials year after year. The only way I got my assignment to that game was through my friend Tommy Lorino, with whom I had officiated many big games.

He offered to step down one year and have me take his place, which I was delighted to do. As I have said, the all-star games are for show only, and the only fouls called are those the fan could call from his arm chair.

Almost all of the action has taken place during the practices when NFL scouts almost outnumber the players. During the games, most of the players simply play to not get hurt.

And that’s official.

Al Graning is a former SEC official and former Natchez resident. Reach him at

AlanWard39157@aol.com

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