East Rutherford, N.J. — The New York Giants and Ticketmaster are proud to celebrate high school football officials throughout New York State in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), and New York State Association of Certified Football Officials (NYSACFO). Each month of the high school football season, the Giants will honor a different officiating crew of the month to highlight their commitment to their communities and their demonstration of honesty and objectivity. Thanks to Ticketmaster, each member of the crew will receive tickets to a Giants home game this season. The following officials were named as part of the Giants 2025 November High School Officiating Crew of the Month.

Larry Carpenter—Referee and Umpire: Larry Carpenter has officiated in Section 7 of NY as a member of the Champlain Chapter since the Fall of 2004. During his tenure he has worked in every position and now works exclusively as a Referee or Umpire. During his career he has officiated in one State Championship games and two Semi-Championship games, serving as an Umpire and Wing Official. Larry has served as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, President and Past President of the Champlain Chapter of the NYSACFO. Larry is the current Treasurer for the North Country Honor Flight, serving in that role since 2013. He has accompanied Veterans on the actual Honor Flights numerous times, assisting them on the trip and tours in Washington D.C and served as the Secretary/Treasurer for Ducks Unlimited for 3 years as well. He has also volunteered to officiate charity-based touch and flag football tournaments, the most recent raising money to support a scholarship fund in memory of a fallen State Police officer who passed away from illnesses connected with his service at the World Trade Center disaster site post 9/11. Larry is also an active Baseball and Softball official serving in various executive board positions in both, and before officiating, volunteered for years as a member of the Chain Crew for Varsity Football games in his hometown of Peru, NY. Larry worked at Kmart from 1975 through 2006, as a Federal Prison Guard from 1986 through 2006 and is now retired from the Clinton County Sheriff’s office where he worked through 2024.

CHRIS ELLIS—Official: Chris Ellis is a 5-year member of the Westchester Chapter. Chris being a veteran, joined the Westchester Chapter through the Battlefields to Ballfields program. Fox NFL Football analyst Mike Periera founded this program. Mike is a former NFL official who has devoted his time and football officiating experience to encourage and promote veterans to become interscholastic sports officials. Although Chris’s tenure with the Westchester Chapter is short, he has had prior football officiating experience in Colorado and Louisiana. Thus, he has distinctly displayed the poise, integrity, and commitment of an excellent official. Chris’ stated goal is to someday work at a NYSPHSAA Championship final. Chris is currently on active duty in Maryland. He has worked 15 years in the United States Army and currently is serving as an Electronic Warrant Officer.

Jessy Jolicoeur—Wing Official: Jessy Jolicoeur has officiated in Section 7 of NY as a member of the Champlain Chapter since the Fall of 2004. During his tenure he has worked in every position and is still working in all crew positions. Throughout his career he has officiated in one State championship games and two Semi-championship games, serving as a Wing Official. Within the Association, Jessy has also served as vice president, president and is the current past president of the Champlain Chapter of the NYSACFO. Jessy is serving the entire State Association by being one of the Assistant Rules interpreters for the NYSACFO. Jessy has volunteered for years through his involvement with the Clinton County Chamber of commerce, the local chapter of Rotary, and is extensively involved with community development projects through the Adirondack Coast organization, focusing on events that promote the Champlain Valley region to the greater population of New York, Vermont and Quebec. He has also volunteered to officiate charity-based touch and flag football tournaments, the most recent raising money to support a scholarship fund in memory of a fallen State Police officer who passed away from illnesses connected with his service at the World Trade Center disaster site post 9/11. He served as an Alternate Education Teacher from 1998-2000, did pharmaceutical research from 2000-2015 and has owned a brewery for the last 10 years. Jessy attended Beekmantown High School where he played football.

Steve Matthews—Referee, Umpire, Linesman and Line Judge: Steve Matthews has officiated in Section 7 of NY as a member of the Champlain Chapter since the Fall of 1997. During his tenure he has officiated at every position and now works exclusively as a Referee or Umpire and has officiated in five State championship games and four Semi-championship games. He also holds the honor of being inducted into the American Football Association’s Hall of Fame as an official for his work covering 3 semi-professional leagues. Throughout his career Steve has served as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and current President of the Champlain Chapter of the NYSACFO. In addition is currently serving on the Executive Board of the NYSACFO. Steve has volunteered as a Pee Wee and Little League coach numerous time is his local community of Peru NY; has volunteer extensively for the Peru Central School’s Drama club and Adirondack Regional Theater, building sets and running the sound board for productions and has volunteered numerous times for the North Country Habitat for Humanity. He has also volunteered to officiate charity-based touch and flag football tournaments, the most recent raising money to support a scholarship fund in memory of a local fallen State Police officer who passed away from illnesses connected with his service at the World Trade Center disaster site post 9/11. He attended Fonda-Fultonville Central School where he played football and basketball.

Jeff Reynolds—Official: Jeff Reynolds is a 34-year member of the St. Lawrence Chapter, serving as Secretary Treasurer for the past 22 years. Jeff has had the privilege to work both Semi-Final and Final games for the New York State Football Championships. As a member of IAABO, Jeff also officiates Boys High School basketball from 1982 to 2007. In support of the local youth, every year Jeff donates his time to officiate the local Youth Football program (Pop Warner). He also donates time to officiate the annual Frank West Memorial Basketball Tournament for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Jeff is retired from SeaComm Federal Credit Union where he worked as a Financial Service Representative for 26 years.

John Simons—Official: John Simmons is a 44-year member of the St. Lawrence Chapter, serving as President and Assignor. John has also served as the NYSACFO President and served on the NYSACFO Executive Committee for 4 years. As NYSACFO President during the Covid year (2020-2021), his leadership was instrumental to NYSACFO’s successful navigation of this chaotic time period. John’s success on the field has provided him with the privilege of working both NYSHSAA Semi-Final and Final games. John has also demonstrated a commitment to his Chapter by utilizing his on-field experience to assist and train new officials. This is a critical task given the fact that the St Lawrence Chapter is one of the smallest chapters. John also has a successful career officiating Lacrosse and baseball. John has held various leadership roles in the Lacrosse official’s organization. He has also worked as a high school and Little League baseball umpire. John is currently serving as the President of Northern New York Officials’ Council in charge of contract negotiations and grievances between schools and officials. John has retired from the Salmon River Central School where he worked as a Guidance Counselor, Director of Special Education, Assistant Secondary Principal, and Secondary Principal (grades 7-12).

The New York Giants have honored high school football officiating crews of the month for three years and is one of nineteen NFL clubs participating in this initiative. Each month of the high school football season, the Giants work with the NYSACFO to identify officials who are deserving of the honor.

“The New York State Association of Certified Football Officials appreciates this NFHS/NFL Crew of the Month program which recognizes the dedication and commitment to high school football our officials demonstrate each week and every season. This recognition program has contributed to our organization’s drive for excellence and consistency,” said Tim Arden, Executive Director of NYSACFO. “In addition, the Crew of the Month program has served as an objective for our newer officials to achieve and has enhanced our ability to retain and recruit officials. We are grateful for the support from the NFHS, NFL and New York Giants.”