The Streak Continues

by Jeff Fisher
Follow @HSFBamerica

The Big 33/Super Bowl streak LIVES!

When the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks face-off in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on February 2nd, the Big 33 Classic will be in lock-step with America's biggest football game for the 48th straight year.  For those of you that aren't familiar with the streak - there's never been a Super Bowl played without a Big 33 alum on the field.

The Big 33 game is played annually in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Over the years, Pennsylvania all-stars have squared-off against all-star teams from Maryland, Ohio and Texas.  On other occassions, Pennsylvania has faced an all-USA team.  Currently Pennsylvania is in a five-year deal playing Maryland all-stars.  The current series began in 2013, ending a 19 year series between PA and Ohio.

The streak was extended to 48 straight with three players - Seattle's Jordan Hill, and Denver's Zac Dysert and Steve Vallos - winning confernce championships on Sunday.
Hill, who is a rookie defensive tackle out of Penn State, played in the 2009 Big 33 Classic with Steelton-Highspire in Pennsylvania. Hill appeared in four games with the Seahawks with 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Dysert, Denver's third-string quarterback behind Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler, played in the 2008 Big 33 Classic from Ada High School in Ohio and was the Broncos' seventh-round pick in 2013 after he started for four years at Miami (OH).
Vallos is a the six-year NFL veteran, who appeared in 15 games at center with the Broncos in the 2013. Vallos played in the 2002 Big 33 Classic as a member of Boardman High School in Ohio.

The Super Bowl Streak Continues for Big 33 Classic

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

When Super Bowl XVI is played next Sunday in Indianapolis, officials of the Big 33 Classic that is played annually in Hershey, Pennsylvania will be once again celebrating.

What will they be celebrating?

The streak.

What streak?

For the 46th straight Super Bowl, a Big 33 alum will be playing on football's biggest stage!

It's quite a calling card for the Big 33 Classic that began back in 1958.

Through the years, Pennsylvania’s top 33 football players have squared-off with all-star teams from Maryland, Ohio and Texas. There have been games against an all-USA all-star team, plus sometimes the eastern part of the state battled the western part of the state for bragging rights.

For the past 19-years, the Big 33 has pitted the Keystone State against stars from Ohio. It’s been a very competitive series with Ohio winning ten games and Pennsylvania winning nine.

This year's game between the New York Giants and New England Patriots will feature an incredible number of eight former Big 33 participants, which would have been nine if Dan Koppen, Patriots' center was on injured reserve.

Here are the the former Big 33'ers that will take the field on Sunday:

New York Giants: (WR) Mario Manningham, (FB) Henry Hynoski, (LB) Chase Blackburn, (G) Chris Snee and (RB) Da'rel Scott

New England Patriots: (QB) Brian Hoyer, (P) Zoltan Mesko, (FB) Lousaka Polite and (C) Dan Koppen (injured reserve)

On January 12th, I spoke with Mike Brennan, head coach of the 2012 Pennsylvania all-stars.  During that interview, Brennan talked about the incredible streak.

Click here to listen to that interview.

This year's Big 33 Classic will be played June 16th.

Super Bowl Streak Continues for Big 33 Football Classic

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Being a Pennsylvania native, it's always fun at Super Bowl time to check-out THE STREAK from the annual Big 33 Football Classic played annually in Hershey for the last 52 years, as it relates to the NFL's championship game.

If you're not familiar with the THE STREAK, all you need to know is that there has been a Big 33 alum in all 43 Super Bowls played. The question now is, will the streak continue at Super Bowl XLIV?

The answer is yes!

THE STREAK reaches 44 thanks to the Saints offensive lineman Zach Strief, who played for Milford HS and the Ohio All-Stars before attending Northwestern. Tight end Darnell Dinkins, a former PA 33er (Schenley HS), is on the Saints 53-man roster, but didn't make the 45-man active roster for the NFC championship game against the Vikings.

The Colts have three former Big 33 alums (Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson - PA, Anthony Gonzalez - OH), who won't play because they are on the injured reserve.

The Big 33 Classic began in the late 50's when a central Pennsylvania sportswriter decided that Pennsylvania all-star high schoolers should be challenged by a team made-up of all-stars from around the country. The game has gone through many changes, including an East-West Pennsylvania match-up in the early 60's, plus the Keystone State taking-on teams from Texas and Maryland. Since 1993, it's been border neighbors Pennsylvania and Ohio slugging-it-out for bragging rights.

Some notables that have played in the Big 33...Joe Namath in 1961, Tony Dorsett in 1973 and Joe Montana in 1974. Of course all three are in the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the entire list from the Big 33 website.

Last year, ESPN's E:60 did a great piece on the Big 33 game, so for those of you that missed it...here it is again.

Big 33 Classic Coaches and Rosters Announced

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle

When it comes to high school football all-star game tradition, it's hard to ignore the PNC Big 33 Football Classic played in Hershey, Pennsylvania pitting Pennsylvania stars against the best from Ohio.

How good is the talent at the Big 33 game? The Classic has provided at least one former player in every Super Bowl ever played including this year's.

Last week, Big 33 officials announced that Tim Janocko of Clearfield will be the head coach of PA squad, and Mike Fell of Ada will lead the Ohio All-Stars.

Here are the rosters for each state...

Pennsylvania

QUARTERBACKS — Curtis Drake, West Catholic ~ Tom Savage, Cardinal O’Hara.

RUNNING BACKS– Rob Holloman, West Catholic ~ Lyle Marsh, Bethel Park.

WIDE RECEIVERS– Jaleel Clark, Parkland ~ Malik Generett, William Penn ~ John Schademan, Bethel Park ~ Devin Street, Bethlehem Liberty.

TIGHT ENDS– Brock DeCicco, Thomas Jefferson ~ Garry Gilliam, Milton Hershey.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN– Mark Arcidiacono, St. Joseph’s Prep ~ Steve Greene, Bishop Carroll ~ Brandon Heath, West Chester Henderson ~ Dave Osei, Abington ~ Justin Pugh, Council Rock South ~ Dan Shirey, Neshaminy ~ Eric Shrive, West Scranton.

DEFENSIVE BACKS– Chris Houston, Bishop McDevitt ~ Ronnie Akins, North Penn ~ Anthony Holmes, Harrisburg ~ JermelLee, Bethlehem Freedom ~ Billy Morgan, Cardinal O’Hara ~ Jordan Smith, Steelton-Highspire.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN– Jay Colbert, Neshaminy ~ A.J. Fenton, Erie McDowell ~Rob Stupar, State College; Dana Brown, McKeesport ~ Jordan Hill, Steelton-Highspire ~ Jack Lippert, Central Dauphin ~ Mike Pinciotti, St. Joseph’s Prep.

LINEBACKERS– Horvin Latimer, Bethlehem Liberty ~ Dan Mason, Penn Hills ~ Carson Sharbaugh, Wilmington.

KICKER– Brandon McManus, North Penn.

Ohio

QUARTERBACKS - Patrick Nicely, Willoughby South ~ Austin Boucher, Kettering Alter

RUNNING BACKS - Fitzgerald Toussaint, Youngstown Liberty ~ Jeffvon Gill, Euclid

WIDE RECEIVERS - Chris Fields, Painesville Harvey ~ Perez Ashford, Shaker Heights ~ Micah Hyde, Fostoria ~ Shaun Joplin, Sylvania Southview ~ Connor Ryan, Cleveland St. Ignatius

TIGHT END - Brian Slack, Akron Hoban

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - Nate Klatt, Canal Fulton Northwest ~ Ryan Spiker, Dresden Tri-Valley ~ Corey Linsley, Youngstown Boardman ~ John Prior, Portsmouth ~ Marcus Hall, Cleveland Glenville ~ Sam Longo, Bellbrook ~ Jake Smith, Columbus DeSales

DEFENSIVE BACKS - Michael Edwards, Cleveland Glenville ~ J.T. Turner, Massillon Washington ~ Chris Williams, Cincinnati Winton Woods ~ Tim Moore, Mentor ~ DeeJay Hunter, Middletown ~ Isaiah Bell, Youngstown Liberty

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN - Jonathan Newsome, Cleveland Glenville ~ Adam Replogle, Centerville ~ Adam Bellamy, Aurora ~ Donovan Jarrett, Hamilton ~ Cody Petit, Patrick Henry ~ Denicos Allen, Hamilton ~ Melvin Fellows, Garfield Heights

LINEBACKERS - Will Studlien, Sunbury Big Walnut ~ Chris Snook, Medina Highland ~ Darrell Mason, Youngstown Ursuline

KICKER/PUNTER - Nate Freese, Strongsville

Ohio Roster Announced for Big 33 Classic

Big 33 Classic officials have announced the roster for the June 14th all-star high school football game between Ohio and Pennsylvania in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The Big 33 Classic is considered one of the best all-star high school football games in America, because every Super Bowl played has included a player that has played in the mid-summer classic in Chocolatetown USA.

Here's the Ohio roster....

Disi Alexander, WR/LB, Canton McKinley, Toledo
Frank Becker, DL, Cincinnati Moeller, Cincinnati
Eugene Clifford, WR/DB, Cincinnati Colerain, Ohio State
Zach Collaros, QB, Steubenville, Cincinnati
Zak Crum, OL, Westerville South, Toledo
B.J. Cunningham, WR, Westerville South, Michigan State
Bruce Davis, LB, Cleveland Glenville, Iowa
Brady Demell, OL/DL, Mentor, Navy
Frank Edmonds, RB, Lakewood St. Edward, Ball State
Debo Elias, FB/DL, Lakewood St. Edward, Ohio Dominican
Perci Garner, QB, Dover, Undecided
Kyle Jefferson, WR, Cleveland Glenville, Wisconsin
Will Johnson, WR/DB, Centerville, West Virginia
Kevin Koncelik, OL, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Miami (Ohio)
Kevin Kowalski, OL/DL, Macedonia Nordonia, Toledo
John Hughes, TE/DL, Gahanna, Cincinnati
Daniel Ifft, WR, Dover, Ball State
Cale Lipsey, DL, Cincinnati Sycamore, Undecided
Chris Littleton, OL, Harrison, Undecided
Jordan Mabin, RB/DB, Macedonia Nordonia, Northwestern
Matt Merletti, RB/DB, Cleveland St. Ignatius, North Carolina
Otis Merrill, DB, Cleveland Glenville, Undecided
Julian Miller, TE/LB, Beechcroft, West Virginia
Diaunte Morrow, DB, Lakewood St. Edward, Iowa
C.J. Peake, LB, Trotwood-Madison, Wisconsin
Chris Rucker, WR/DB, Marion Harding, Michigan State
Jon Saelinger, DB, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Pennsylvania
Jeremy Shrieves, OL, Huber Heights Wayne, Eastern Michigan
Nick Spadafore, K/P, Gahanna, Concordia-St. Paul
Kenny Staudinger, OL, Hoover, Miami (Ohio)
J.B. Strahler, TE/LB, Hilliard Davidson, Ashland
George Tabron, FB/LB, Canton McKinley, Undecided
Anthony Wright, QB/CB, Maple Heights, Air Force
Lorren Womack, LB, Huber Heights Wayne, Ball State

Head coach: Dan Ifft (Dover)
Assistant coaches: Brian White (Hilliard Davidson), Steve Specht (Cincinnati St. Xavier), Ron Lewis (Rocky River), Bob Mihalik (Aurora), Justin Buttermore (Tri-Valley)

Pennsylvania Big 33 Roster Announced

Officials have announced the Pennsylvania roster for the 51st Big 33 Classic that will be played in Hershey, Pennsylvania on June 14th. The game, which many consider the best all-star game in America, pits stars from Pennsylvania against stars from Ohio.

One of the footnotes of the game is the fact that there's never been a Super Bowl played without a Big 33 alum involved.

This year the PA stars will be led by Parkland High School's Jim Morgans. The nation's top recruit Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette has been chosen, but there's no word on whether he will play in the game. In the past he has said he won't play.

Here's the Keystone State roster...

A.J. Alexander - Altoona ATH 5-11, 185 (TBA)
Jonathan Baldwin- Aliquippa WR 6-6, 215 (Pitt)
Vaughn Carraway - Muhlenberg WR 6-3, 170 (TBA)
R.J. Dill - Camp Hill Trinity OL/DL 6-6, 285 (Maryland)
Nate Eachus - Hazleton LB 5-11, 195 (TBA)
Jewhan Edwards - Roman Catholic DE 6-3, 210 (Minnesota)
Austin Fedell - North Allegheny OL/DL 6-2, 270 (TBA)
Hubie Graham - West Scranton OL/DL 6-4, 230 (Illinois)
Robbie Gumbita - Mount Pleasant OL/DL 6-5, 300 (TBA)
Shayne Hale - Gateway LB 6-3, 235 (Pitt)
Jarred Holley - Easton DB 5-9, 165 (TBA)
John Jackson - Central Bucks South TE 6-4, 240 (TBA)
Chris Johnson - Roman Catholic DB 6-0, 200 (TBA)
Mike Jones - Bishop McDevitt RB 6-1, 225 (Syracuse)
Nick Moody - Roman Catholic DB 6-1, 220 (Florida State)
Lucas Nix - Thomas Jefferson OL/DL 6-6, 290 (Pitt)
Joshua Potts - Harrisburg DB 6-0, 175 (TBA)
Terrelle Pryor - Jeannette QB 6-6, 220 (TBA)
Eric Reynolds - Central Bucks South RB 5-10, 195 (Boston College)
Adrian Robinson - Harrisburg DE 6-2, 225 (TBA)
Cameron Saddler - Gateway ATH 5-7, 160 (Pitt)
Tyler Sands - Boyertown OL/DL 6-5, 290 (Illinois)
Mike Shanahan - Norwin WR 6-5, 195 (Pitt)
David Soldner - Manheim Twp. K 6-1, 175 (TBA)
Matt Stankiewitch - Blue Mountain OL/DL 6-4, 295 (Penn State)
Tino Sunseri - Pittsburgh Central Catholic QB 6-0, 180 (Pitt)
Andrew Taglianetti - Pittsburgh Central Catholic DB 5-11, 175 (TBA)
Wayne Luis Tribue - Central York OL/DL 6-4, 285 (Temple)
Brandon Ware - Harrisburg OL/DL 6-5, 340 (TBA)
Brandon Weaver - Trinity DE 6-2, 217 (Ohio)
Mark Wedderburn - Cardinal O'Hara DE 6-5, 235 (Penn State)
Quentin Williams - Pittsburgh Central Catholic TE 6-3, 235 (TBA)
Christian Wilson - Montour RB 6-3, 235 (Michigan)
Mike Yancich - Trinity LB 6-2, 220 (Penn State)