MARTINS FERRY — Don’t think the OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game is an honor just for the players, queens, band members and cheerleaders.

A group of seven men will take the field tonight at Purple Rider Stadium with a very important job to do.

The officiating crew, which was assigned by OVAC Football Commissioner Dave Clutter, will be looking to enforce the rules, keep the game clean and do its part in helping the players and coaches have as memorable of an experience as possible.

Doug Costain, who lives in Wheeling, will serve as the referee of the game. It’s his second all-star game assignment, but first as a white cap.

“It’s definitely an honor to work this game,” Costain said. “I don’t care what sport or what level of officiating you’re on, if you get chosen for something extra or above and beyond the normal duty, it’s special.”

For Costain, he has 18 years of experience. He was away from the sport for 10 years, but was encouraged to renew his certification by his long-time friend Tom Bechtel.

“I was in for 12 years and then Bear asked me to come back and I said I would, but I wanted to come back at the varsity level and not have to start over,” Costain recalled. “I was willing to go through the training class because I had been out a while and needed to get refreshed on the rules and things.”

As has been the case the last several years, the OVAC will once again employ a seven-man crew for the game, which kicks off tonight at 7:15 at the Dave Bruney Football Complex. That’s two more officials than a normal high school game. Though it’s a change, it’s a welcomed one, according to Costain.

“When you use a seven-man crew, it makes everything (on the field) seem a little bit smaller and closer,” Costain explained. “For me, for instance, I don’t have to run up to the line of scrimmage every play like a normal high school game, so it’s easier from that perspective.”

Since the OVAC covers numerous officiating boards and geographic areas, Clutter tries to represent as many as possible. Also slated to work the game are umpire Matt Rudder (Morgantown), linesman George Kelchak (Weirton), line judge Mike Brohard (Parkersburg), field judge Ernie Fithyan (Weirton), side judge Rob Green (East Liverpool) and back judge Jeff Loeffler (Wheeling).

The officials have not worked together collectively yet. The crew has been communicating through a group text message and it will get together this afternoon to begin their formal preparations.

“I think not using a normal crew is a great move by the OVAC because more than just guys from Wheeling or Weirton are officiating OVAC games on Friday nights,” Costain said. “I feel like our role, as officials, is to facilitate the game. We want to keep it smooth and keep it from getting chippy. If we can keep control of the game and keep our flags in our pocket, that’s what we’re going to do.”

The officials will be wearing a commemorative shirt tonight, too. On the left side of the shirt will be the OVAC’s 75th anniversary logo.

The honorary official for tonight’s game will be Bill “Bull” Flanagan from Wheeling, who now resides in Sarasota, Fla.