There is a shortage of football officials in PIAA District 10, but those in the know can't put their fingers on a reason.

L.J. Frisina, who represents the officials in the district, said the drop is alarming.

"I don't really know a true answer to why this is happening," Frisina said. "We're scratching our heads."

Because of the shortage, all District 10 football teams have had to play at least one game on a Thursday or a Saturday the last few years.

This season, there have been even more games scheduled on those two days.

Grove City has played two Saturday games, although its clash with Erie East in the season opener was more of a scheduling issue at Erie Veterans Stadium.

Slippery Rock will host Reynolds this Saturday, then travel to play Meadville on a Thursday night in mid-October.

"It really throws everything off," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell about playing on a Saturday. "It throws (off) your practice schedule, your JV schedule, since those game are usually played on Saturday. It's just hard all the way around for everyone involved."

Slippery Rock coach Glenn Hazlet said the Saturday game isn't as hard to adjust to as the Thursday game.

"It changes our routine, but we also get an extra day to practice (for Reynolds)," Hazlet said. "When we play Thursday night, that doesn't give us much time to prepare at all. I guess it is the same for everyone, though. It all balances out."

It's not easy for the officials, either.

With officials spread thinly already, many have to do two or three games a week.

Frisina, who conducts tests for officials, said very few are taking the test for football.

"I get about 60 people at each test date and only two or three test for football," Frisina said. "We are fine in other sports, but, honestly, if I knew why they weren't testing for football, we'd be off and running."

Bell pitched a plan to District 10 to use officials from other districts to keep games that should be played on Fridays under the Friday night lights, but was rebuffed, he said.

Frisina offered a simple answer as to why officials from other districts would not be used by D-10.

"They have their own games to cover," he said.

Frisina said he didn't know the exact number of football officials currently at the disposal of the district.

As of last season, each football officials received $63 per varsity game and $45 per junior varsity contest.

Frisina said another problem facing district officials is age.

"Our officials aren't getting any younger, either," Frisina said. "We need younger officials."

Frisina is optimistic that his next test date scheduled for Monday will yield more football officials.

However, that won't help this season.

"At least we will get bodies," he said.