2017 Divisional Playoffs
Vinovich, Torbert, Allen, and Steratore will lead Divisional Playoff crews
Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for this weekend’s Divisional Playoffs.
Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Divisional Playoffs. Officials are listed with their uniform number, years of NFL experience (including this season), the crew each official worked with in the regular season (by the referee’s name), college, and outside occupation.
All times are Eastern.
Three alternates are assigned to each game: generally, one is designated for the offensive backfield (a referee or umpire), one is on the line of scrimmage (down judge or line judge), and one is a deep position (side judge, field judge, or back judge). When alternates are listed, their position during the regular season is also given. The prior playoff experience that is listed for the crew chief includes his service as an NFL official, including as referee and any other crew position (excluding alternate assignments).
Also of note, the eventual Super Bowl officials are working this weekend’s games, but not all are from the same crew.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Falcons at Eagles, 4:35 p.m. NBC
Bill Vinovich is the referee, who is in his 12th season and 9th as referee. This is his 10th postseason assignment, including 2 Wild Card Playoffs, 4 Divisional Playoffs, 3 Conference Championships, and Super Bowl XLIX.
| Yrs | 2017 crew | College | Occupation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 52 | Bill Vinovich | 13 | San Diego | accountant, former NFL officiating supervisor | |
| U | 131 | Mark Pellis | 4 | Parry | Allegheny | financial advisor |
| DJ | 134 | Ed Camp | 18 | Boger | William Paterson | physical education teacher* |
| LJ | 18 | Byron Boston | 23 | Anderson | Austin | tax consultant |
| FJ | 97 | Tom Hill | 19 | Allen | Carson Newman | teacher* |
| SJ | 56 | Allen Baynes | 10 | Hussey | Auburn | realtor |
| BJ | 83 | Shawn Hochuli | 4 | Allen | Claremont | financial advisor |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay: Charles Stewart
- Alternates: Terry McAulay (R), Hugo Cruz (DJ), Mike Weatherford (FJ)
Titans at Patriots, 8:15 p.m. CBS
Ron Torbert is the referee, who is in his 8th season and 4th as referee. This is his 6th postseason assignment, including 3 Wild Card Playoffs and 3 Divisional Playoffs; he has received a playoff assignment in every year he was eligible.
| Yrs | 2017 crew | College | Occupation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 62 | Ron Torbert | 8 | Michigan State | attorney | |
| U | 102 | Bruce Stritesky | 12 | Vinovich | Embry Riddle | airline pilot |
| DJ | 6 | Jerod Phillips | 2 | Anderson | Northeastern State | elementary school teacher |
| LJ | 9 | Mark Perlman | 17 | Vinovich | Salem | teacher* |
| FJ | 104 | Dale Shaw | 5 | Hochuli | Allegheny | pharmaceutical sales |
| SJ | 3 | Scott Edwards | 19 | Torbert | Alabama | environmental engineer |
| BJ | 46 | Perry Paganelli | 20 | Parry | Hope College | retired high school administrator |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay: Darryll Lewis
- Alternates: Clete Blakeman (R), Gary Arthur (LJ), Steve Patrick (BJ)
Sunday, Jan. 14
Jaguars at Steelers, 1:05 p.m. CBS
Brad Allen is the referee, who is in his 4th season. This is Allen’s second playoff assignment, and previously worked a Wild Card Playoff. Allen was hired directly to the referee position from the NCAA in 2014.
| Yrs | 2017 crew | College | Occupation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 122 | Brad Allen | 4 | Pembroke State | non-profit CEO* | |
| U | 20 | Barry Anderson | 11 | Wrolstad | North Carolina State | builder/developer* |
| DJ | 91 | Jerry Bergman | 16 | McAulay | Robert Morris | sales executive |
| LJ | 10 | Julian Mapp | 9 | Wrolstad | Grambling State | project leader |
| FJ | 73 | Joe Larrew | 16 | Blakeman | St Louis | attorney |
| SJ | 87 | Walt Coleman IV | 3 | Boger | Southern Methodist | financial advisor |
| BJ | 93 | Scott Helverson | 15 | Hochuli | Iowa | sales, printing and promotions* |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay: Jim Lapetina
- Alternates: Walt Anderson (R), Carl Johnson (LJ), Greg Steed (BJ)
Saints at Vikings, 4:40 p.m. FOX
Gene Steratore is the referee, who is in his 15th season and 12th as referee. This is his 11th postseason assignment, including 3 Wild Card Playoffs, 6 Divisional Playoffs, and 2 Conference Championships.
| Yrs | 2017 crew | College | Occupation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 114 | Gene Steratore | 15 | Kent State | co-owner, supply company | |
| U | 81 | Roy Ellison | 15 | Steratore | Savannah State | technical staff member |
| DJ | 100 | Tom Symonette | 14 | Cheffers | Florida | certified public accountant |
| LJ | 84 | Mark Steinkerchner | 24 | Torbert | Akron | vice-president* |
| FJ | 1 | Scott Novak | 4 | Coleman | Phoenix | sales manager |
| SJ | 41 | Boris Cheek | 22 | Morelli | Morgan State | director of operations and management* |
| BJ | 78 | Greg Meyer | 16 | Vinovich | Texas Christian | banker |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay: Paul Weidner
- Alternates: Craig Wrolstad (R), Jim Mello (DJ), Greg Yette (BJ)
