KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Friday, Oct. 30, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA), and the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) announced their Football Officiating Crew of the Month recipients for the month of October. The Chiefs are proud to partner with the National Football League and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to award this recognition.
The Chiefs worked to identify the following crew members who demonstrated strong commitment to objectivity and fairness in rules and displayed unwavering dedication as an official during the month of October:
MSHSAA:
- Referee Matt Mense IV (Webb City, Mo.)
- Umpire Ashley Roberson (Joplin, Mo.)
- Head Linesman Kenny Moore (Joplin, Mo.)
- Line Judge David Rector (Duenweg, Mo.)
- Back Judge Tyler Kussman (Joplin, Mo.)
KSHSAA:
- Referee DJ Needham (Osawatomie, Kan.)
- Umpire Drew Needham (Osawatomie, Kan.)
- Head Linesman (Wing) John Rayl (Osawatomie, Kan.)
- Line Judge (Wing) Garrett Needham (Osawatomie, Kan.)
- Back Judge Allen Johnson (Lenexa, Kan.)
This marks the second season the Chiefs are recognizing outstanding high school football officials in the Kansas City region. Moving forward, monthly honorees will be selected based on a crew's experience, community involvement, and commitment to upholding absolute impartiality. All active high school football officials in Missouri and Kansas are eligible for nomination.
The Kansas City Chiefs congratulate the Matt Mense IV Crew (Missouri) and the DJ Needham Crew (Kansas) on being selected as the region's October 2026 Officiating Crews of the Month and extend the club's sincerest gratitude for their outstanding service to youth and prep football. For more information on the NFL/NFHS Officiating Crew of the Month initiative and its impact on high school football officiating, visit playfootball.nfl.com/tackle/officiating/.
