Big 33 Coach Mike Brennan Talks About 2012 Classic on High School Football America

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Mike Brennan, who has been going to the Big 33 Classic in Hershey since he was 9-years old, is a very proud coach these days.

Brennan, who will be entering his fourth season as the head coach at Blue Mountain this year, will be the head coach of the Pennsylvania All-Stars in the 2012 Big 33 Game.

Coach Brennan joined me on Thursday's High School Football America radio show to talk about the honor of being a head coach in game that has the distinction of having an alum play in every Super Bowl.

Click here to listen to my interview with Coach Brennan.

Clairton 3-Peats in Single A

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Two-time defending champ Clairton made it three-in-a-row Friday in the battle of Class A powers.

The Bears won their 47th straight by beating Southern Columbia 35-19.  SC was looking for a record 7th Pennsylvania state football title.

Tyler Boyd was the star for Clairton rushing for 218 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries.  Terrish Webb caught three of Capri Thompson's four completions, two of them for touchdowns and 167 yards.  Thompson finished the afternoon completing 4-of-9 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Clairton, which was playing in its fourth straight Class A championship game, hasn't lost since the opening week of the 2009 season.

Southern Columbia, which was playing in its 13th state title game, finishes this season 14-2.

On Thursday's High School Football America radio show, I spoke with Clairton head coach about Tom Nola about the Bear's four-year run to Class A supremacy.

Click here to listen to that interview.

Clairton Head Coach Tom Nola Talks about Class A Championship Game on High School Football America

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football 

Two of the best-ever in Class A in Pennsylvania football history will collide Friday in the state championship game in Hershey when two-time defending champ Clairton squares-off with Southern Columbia.

To preview the showdown, I'll be joined by Clairton head coach Tom Nola on Thursday night's High School Football America radio show.

Clairton is riding a 46-game win streak and is playing in its fourth straight state title game.  Southern Columbia will be playing in its 13 state title game in 22 years of state tournament play.  The Tigers are going after a record seventh title.  Berwick is the only other school to win six state championships.

Clairton has outscored its opponents 670-59 with the defense pitching nine shutouts.  Southern's only loss was a one-point loss to Mount Carmel, a Class AA school.

Click here to listen to Thursday night's interview with Coach Nola.

Garnet Valley's Andrew Thomas Named Finalist for High School Rudy Award

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Andrew Thomas, Garnet Valley's team captain and team MVP, is one of twelve finalists for this year's High School Rudy Awards.

Here's Andrew's story from the organization's website:

Andrew Thomas is Team Captain, Team MVP, and First-Team All League Defensive Lineman for the Garnet Valley Jaguars. He is also an excellent student, despite having Attention Deficit Disorder, spending countless hours volunteering as a youth mentor and historical society preservationist, and having to devote a lot of time to providing for his family. Andrew and his family have had to endure a number of challenges that would tear a lesser family apart. A few years ago, Andrew’s two year old brother was struck by a car in front of the family’s home. Andrew played the role of counselor, helping his siblings cope with the accident, while giving support to his little brother during the recovery process. Two years ago, Andrew’s father was laid off from his job of thirteen years. To help his parents make up the difference, Andrew established a lawn care business that, after just two months in operation, was grossing more than $1,000 per month.


His father found work again in May of 2011, but his employment was in distant Hawaii. Without their father at home, Andrew took on the role of man of the house. Just two weeks after his father’s departure, his mother suffered a debilitating stroke. Because their father could not fly home immediately, Andrew was left as the caretaker for his siblings. Recently, the family’s landlord defaulted on his mortgage, and the family was forced to find a new home.


Throughout all of this, Andrew remains as his family’s rock. “Andrew rarely complains, and reminds us to look at the positive side of things,” said Richard Thomas, Andrew’s father.” He lives by the motto of his football team, ‘Oneness, Selflessness, Hard Work and Character.’ I am so proud to say I am part of Andrew Thomas’ life.”.

To learn about all twelve finalists and vote for your favorite, go to www.highschoolrudyawards.com.

Thursday night at 6PM Eastern Time, Byron Jenson of the the High School Rudy Awards will be a guest on the NHSCA Sports Hour to talk about all of the finalists.

Click here to listen.

Allentown Central Catholic's Harold Fairclough Talks About Showdown with Archbishop Wood on HIgh School Football America

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

It's been a crazy season for defending 3A state champ Allentown Central Catholic.

A 2-5 start that has been turned into a seven-game win streak, and the Vikings now stand one win away from returning to Hershey to defend their crown.

Head coach Harold Fairclough will join me Thursday night on High School Football America to talk about the Vikings' turnaround.

On Friday, CCHS takes on top-ranked Archbishop Wood, a team the Vikings beat last year to earn a trip to Hershey.

Click here to listen to the show LIVE tomorrow night at 7 PM.