Kevin Angell of Bainbridge, who has been a high school football official for 17 years, has been invited to join the Gulf South College Conference as a football official for the 2012 season.

In his first year, he will serve as a supplemental official, working mainly in one of three required deep official positions.

“Every new official is required to work as the supplemental official, who works from the sideline tracking fouls called by the crew during the game,” Angell said. “That is just fine with me, because at any given time you are just one play away from getting into a game.

“I just want a chance to get on the field in my first year. After that, it’s up to me to prove I belong at this level.”

Angell attended his first conference camp at the University of West Georgia in 2011. He also attended this year’s camp April 12 through April 14 at the University of West Alabama.

Classroom topics covered were philosophies and rule changes. Videos of college games throughout the country were also viewed.

The field sessions involved working with instructors and evaluators from the Gulf South, Southeastern and Sun Belt Conferences on position and mechanic changes that take effect in 2012.

“I have worked high school football at every level and I have seen some fast kids on the field,” Angell said. “However, when you step on the field with those college kids, you had better have your shoes laced up tight.

“It is nothing to see a 290-pound lineman move up the field with scary speed.”

Angell will attend his first Gulf South Conference officials’ meeting July 21 in Birmingham, Ala.

Because of the limited conference work in his first season, Angell will continue to work a full schedule of high-school football games this season.