Steve and Mike Discatio both played football at Portland High, and more than three decades later they’ve managed to remain on the field. The brothers are entering their 20th season as high school football officials – and perhaps their last.

“Like players, it’s time to pull the plug,” said Steve Discatio. “The high school players stay the same age, but we get older. You can’t do it forever. Of the 70-plus officials on the Southwestern Maine board, only 12 have been officials longer than we have.”

Steve, 53, said this will be his last year officiating. Mike, 55, isn’t so sure. He said he will make a decision later in the season.

At one time, there were three Discatio brothers officiating high school football. Younger brother Dave stopped officiating a few years ago.

The Discatios are owners of Joe’s Super Variety on Congress Street in Portland. The store, started by their grandfather, has been around since 1945. In November, construction will start on an apartment complex at the store’s location, and the store will be on the ground floor.

Steve and Mike Discatio are on the same officiating crew. They will be working Friday night at Westbrook High, where the Blue Blazes will play Leavitt.

Mike has been a referee for several years. Steve works as a line judge or a back judge.

“I usually work about a dozen games, plus the playoffs,” said Steve. “I do it because I love the game. It’s certainly not the money.”

This season, officials will be paid $69.50 for varsity games.

Mike was a tailback at Portland High, graduating in 1979. Steve was a wide receiver and scatback. He graduated in 1981.

Steve has worked five state championship games, with one of the most memorable being in 2013, when Bonny Eagle drove the length of the field in the final moments to beat Cheverus 31-28 for the Class A title. Mike has worked three state finals. Surprisingly, the brothers have never worked the same state final.

When they started officiating, they said the game seemed fast. But with experience and knowing the ins and outs of the profession, the game has slowed down for them.

The big emphasis in the rules this season, they said, will be calling “targeting,” where a player leaves his feet and leads with the crown of his helmet to make a tackle. At a meeting of the Southwestern Maine Board of Football Officials, nearly the entire night was devoted to watching a video on targeting.

“They want all the head stuff gone,” said Steve.

Paul Duperre, the assigner for the Southwestern board, said Steve is “one of our best officials.”

“He’s top-notch,” said Duperre. “Steve is always one of our highest rated officials. He has the right demeanor for football, and his communication with the coaches is outstanding. He would do a state game every year if we didn’t have the rule that you can’t do back-to-back state games.”

TWO TOP quarterbacks are lost for the season because of injuries suffered during the preseason. Matt Pisini of Greely tore his ACL in a scrimmage against Falmouth on Aug. 24, and Hunter Smith of Foxcroft Academy dislocated a hip in an exhibition game against Orono a week ago.

FRIDAY NIGHT’S openers offer some appealing matchups. Perhaps first and foremost is Biddeford at Marshwood. The Tigers are making their debut in Class B after a long run in Class A. The Hawks are coming off a 12-0 season and a Class B state title. Biddeford made the Class A playoff last year and has most of its team back.

Other games of note include Portland at Scarborough, Leavitt at Westbrook, South Portland at Bonny Eagle and York at Falmouth. Thornton Academy, last year’s Class A champion, opens defense of its title Friday night at home against Sanford. It’s the Golden Trojans’ only home night game.

 

Copy the Story Link