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All-female officiating crew makes FHSAA high school football history

First all-female crew worked the Father Lopez-St. Francis Florida high school football game
Gary Adornato|
All-female officiating crew makes FHSAA high school football history
All-female officiating crew makes FHSAA high school football history

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – When St. Francis Catholic visited Father Lopez last Friday, a little history was made as the contest was officiated by the first All-female officiating crew in the history of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).

The crew, all affiliated with the A-1 Officials Association out of Daytona.

"The journey to this moment was challenging, but it has been incredibly rewarding thanks to the A-1 Association for helping to orchestrate this amazing opportunity," said the FHSAA in statement published in its weekly email update. "We are immensely proud of the commitment, dedication, and perseverance exhibited by our all-female football crew. This accomplishment not only breaks down gender barriers but also serve as an inspiration to young women throughout the state."

The members of the crew for the contest won by Father Judge, 35-0, were:

Referee: Krystle Apellaniz

Umpire: Randi Knighten

Linesman: Chloe Richards

Line Judge: Tia Towns

Back Judge: Mary Antinozzi

Clock Operator: Nitasha Kirk

Mike Zaffuto was the assignor.

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Gary Adornato
GARY ADORNATO

Gary Adornato began covering high school sports with the Baltimore Sun in 1982, while still a mass communications major at Towson University, and in 2003 became one of the first journalists to cover high school sports online while operating MIAASports.com, the official website of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. Later, Adornato pioneered market-wide coverage of high school sports with DigitalSports.com, introducing video highlights and player interviews while assembling an award-winning editorial staff. In 2010, he launched VarsitySportsNetwork.com which became the premier source of high school media coverage in the state of Maryland. In 2022, he sold VSN to The Baltimore Banner and joined SBLive Sports as the company's East Coast Managing Editor.

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