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2020 Conference Championships

3 officials making a conference championship debut; another continues a long streak

Three officials are making their conference championship debut this weekend.

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Three officials are making their conference championship debuts this weekend. And, another official continues a long playoff streak.

First conference championship assignments

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Three officials are making their conference championship debuts – Jimmy Buchanan, Ramon George (pictured above) and Barry Anderson.

Anderson has worked 10 playoff games, including Super Bowl LIV last year. But, he’s never worked a conference championship until this year. He’s worked as a field judge, side judge and umpire.

Ramon George is an up and coming umpire. This is his third on field playoff assignment.

Jimmy Buchanan officiates his fourth playoff game this weekend. Previously he worked three wild card games. He has been an alternate five times, including Super Bowls LII and LIV. Buchanan missed his first two NFL seasons because of foot injuries, so it’s great to see him make it deep into the playoffs.

Mark Perlman playoff streak continues

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Perlman works his 18th straight season in the playoffs – and the 19th out of the last 20 seasons working on the field.

Even some of the best officials miss an on field playoff assignment once every few years. But Perlman’s streak extends back to George W. Bush’s first term as president. This is his first season as a down judge. He’s worked every other season as a line judge.

This weekend’s game is Perlman’s 22nd playoff game – six wild cards, 10 divisionals, three conference championships and Super Bowls XL, XLIII and XLIX.

Best wishes to all officials working the conference championships this weekend!

Mark Schultz is a high school football official, freelance writer and journalist. He first became interested in officiating when he was six years old, was watching a NFL game with his father and asked the fateful question, "Dad, what are those guys in the striped shirts doing?"

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