Metro Detroit Crew Recognized as September's "Crew of the Month" by Lions, MHSAA

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 29, 2026

A Metro Detroit football officiating crew has been named the inaugural Michigan “High School Officiating Crew of the Month” by the Detroit Lions.

Shelby Township’s Mike Gentry and Craig Goepper, Grosse Pointe Woods’ David Prince, Ann Arbor’s Shane Smith, Roseville’s Scott Suminski and Jordan Pearson, and St. Clair Shores’ Carson Roose make up the crew, which combined has been part of officiating 10 MHSAA Finals, nine Semifinals and more than 50 District Finals. Gentry received the MHSAA’s Vern L. Norris Leadership in Officiating Award in 2017.

The crew also was recognized for its dedication to the avocation, participation as members of the Motor City Area Officials Association and recruitment of new officials. 

The Lions, in partnership with the MHSAA and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), will recognize an officiating crew monthly this season.

Be the Referee: Correcting a Down

September 10, 2015

This week, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl discusses how officials at the high school level have the authority to correct an error in what down is being played. 

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment - Correcting a Down - Listen



For anyone who has followed football for a long time, perhaps the most famous “5th down” game was back in 1990 between Colorado and Missouri. 

In that game, the officials mistakenly gave Colorado an extra down while trailing by four points. On the “fifth down” play, Colorado scored a touchdown on the final play of the game to win 33-31. 

Under high school rules, the officiating crew has the ability to correct an error of the wrong down as long as it is done before the next snap. For example, if the crew realizes a team has been given an extra down, that play would be nullified and the ball would correctly go over to the other team.

Past editions:
Sept 3: Spearing - Listen
Aug. 27: Missed Field Goal - Listen