With the start of the TSSAA football season less than a month away, coaches and players are not the only ones gearing up for action under the bright lights.
Over the next several weeks local officials within the South East Tennessee Football Officials Association will also be getting game-ready with plenty of scrimmages on the docket.
The SETFOA has served the greater Chattanooga area for the last six decades. Their mission statement is to provide consistent and professional football officiating while also managing fair play and sportsmanship.
When Scottie Flerl began officiating local games in 2004, there were at least 130 officials available to work high school football games. This season the SETFOA has around 90 officials registered for the 2026 season, which is nearly identical to the number they had last season.
The TSSAA has provided a pay increase this season for high school football officials, as on-field referees will receive $130 a game, with clock operators getting paid $100 a game. These amounts represent a $10 increase for both positions compared to the 2025 season.