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.

Former NFL Quarterback Jon Kitna Reportedly In-line for High School Job

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

According to KING-5 TV, 15-year NFL veteran quarterback Jon Kitna will be named the new head football coach at Lincoln High School in Tacaoma, Washington later this week.

Kitna was a three-sport athlete at Lincoln, playing football, basketball and baseball.

In the NFL, Kitna played with Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit and Seattle.  In 141 games, he passed for nearly 30,000 yards and 169 touchdowns.

Kitna is the second former QB to take a high school head coaching job in the past week.  Shane Matthews accepted the job at Tim Tebow's alma mater, Nease High School in Florida last week.

Last season, Lincoln was 4-6 under Michael Merrill.

High School Football America Teams-up with Seattle Seahawks Rookie Golden Tate

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

As I expand the amount of original content for my readers, I've partnered with Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver Golden Tate to help him write his bi-weekly blog that you can check-out at Golden's website www.playmakertate.com.

Our first collaboration is entitled How Do I Engage Seattle's 12th Man?

Tate, who left Notre Dame after his junior year, was taken by the Seahawks in the 2nd round (60th overall) of the NFL Draft.

In the coming weeks, I'll be writing about Tate's high school memories.  Born in Hendersonville, Tennessee, he played his high school football at Pope John Paul II High School.

Tate will wear #81 in the NFL, not his familiar #23 that he wore in high school and college.  Speaking of #23 check-out this video I found of Golden from a high school game in 2006.

In the 2007 YouTube video Tate's team was down by 14 points with 7.5 second left in regulation.  What you don't see is Tate scoring a touchdown to cut the lead to 49-42.  What you do see is #23 recovering the ensuing on-side kick and then catching a TD pass with no time left in regulation.  The game went to overtime with Tate helping Pope John Paul II get the victory.



Tate's website was created by Curv Sports LLC To follow Golden on Twitter, click here.

About Curv Sports
CurvSports delivers an online monetization and brand management strategy for professional athletes, media personalities and celebrities via a unique platform that connects sponsors and fans with the athlete’s entire digital community.
 
For the Celebrity:  CurvSports enables athletes, media personalities and celebrities to define, promote and monetize their digital presence, resulting in an expanded, more connected, and more committed fan base that is motivated to support the athlete's initiatives.
 
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Mission Bay (CA) QB/RB/WR Named U.S. Army All-American Bowl National Player-of-the-Year

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Mission Bay High School's Dillon Baxter had one of the most incredible high school football seasons ever, and Friday the San Diego-area senior was named as the National Player of the Year by the officials of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Baxter, who also was named as California's Mr. Football on Friday, played quarterback, running back and wide receiver this season, accounted for 76 touchdowns and 5,115 yards of total offense. NBC San Diego reports that Baxter's senior year will go down in the record books.

Now the big question facing Baxter is whether he should stick to his verbal commitment to play his college ball at USC. According to the NY Times today, Baxter is re-thinking his decision because Pete Carroll has resigned to take the head coaching job with the Seattle Seahawks.

West Wins U.S. Army All-American Bowl

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Game MVP Ronald Powell of Mission Viejo High School (CA) led the West stars to a 30-14 win over the East squad in the 10th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio Saturday.

The 6-5, 230-pound Powell, who committed to Florida during the broadcast on NBC, ended the game with five tackles, one for a loss and one forced fumble, plus caught a 23-yard touchdown pass and returned a block extra point for two points.

Probably the most interesting thing about the game was how Pete Carroll's announcement that he was leaving for USC for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks affected some of the players. ESPN Rise takes a look at that topic.

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