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.

Mt. Lebanon Coach Resigns to Take Job at Pitt

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After 17 years as the head coach at Mt Lebanon, Chris Haering has stepped down to take an assistant coaching at Pitt.

Haering led the school to a 111-71 record, including winning the 2003 WPIAL AAAA championship.

Last year Mt. Lebanon finished 7-4, losing to Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the second round of the WPIAL AAAA playoffs.

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.

Pius X Wins District XI Class A Title

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Sometimes things can't be explained; like why was today's District XI Class A playoff game played on what would have been the 80th birthday of the man that the Pius X Royals dedicated their season to.

The Royals have dedicated the 2011 season to their longtime fan John "Pappy" Hildabrant, who passed away during preseason camp in August.  Today, the Royals went after District XI Class A gold against Shenandoah Valley at Nazareth on what would have been "Pappy's" 80th birthday.

With the memory of "Pappy" in their minds and his name on the back of their helmets, the Royals dismantled the Blue Devils 50-12.  The Royals finished second in the district the past two years.

The Royals were led by quarterback A.J. Long and Boise Ross.  Long, who broke the record for TDs in a season (37), was 10 of 17 for 206 yards and two touchdowns.  The sophomore QB also rushed for 173 yards on 13 carries and two scores.

Ross, a junior, scored three touchdowns; he only had six touches, but put-up 276 yards in total offense.  Ross caught four passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball twice for 110 yards and a touchdown.

The Royals finished the game with 562 yards in total offense.

Next week, Pius X will play Calvary Christian in the opening round of the PIAA state playoffs.

When the Royals returned to their home base of Roseto, the entire team stopped at the Mount Carmel Cemetery to place a gold medal at Pappy's gravesite.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, November 19, 2011

Playoffs
2nd Round

Class AAAA
University Prep 14 Allderdice 0
State College 42 Erie Strong Vincent 31

Class AAA
Clearfield 29 Johnstown 23
Valley View 18 Dallas 12

Class AA
Pen Argyl 26 Northern Lehigh 7
General McLane 21 Wilmington 18
Hickory 35 North East 0

Class A
Pius X 50 Shenandoah Valley 12
Port Allegany 49 Brockway 21

Mt. Carmel Wins 800th

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Growing-up in eastern Pennsylvania, I always knew about the football tradition at Mt. Carmel High School. Long before Hollywood glamorized Friday Night Lights, Mt. Carmel fans were creating a Friday night trend by turning the tiny community into a ghost town when their dearly-loved Red Tornadoes took to the road for away games.

Last Friday, on the road, Mt. Carmel became just the fifth team in America to reach the 800 win mark.

The Red Tornadoes, led by 1971 alum Carmen DeFrancesco, improved to 800-289-57 overall with a 35-14 win over Shikellamy. Mt. Carmel has been playing football since 1893.

Valdosta (Georgia) still is America's winningest team with 868 victories, followed by Highlands (Kentucky) with 822, Male (Kentucky) with 814 wins and Washington Massillon (Ohio) with 810.

Pennsylvania Two-Thirds of the Way to a Shorter High School Football Season

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Pennsylvania is one-step away from shortening the high school football season from 16 to 15 weeks.

Late last week, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association passed on a second-reading a new rule that would eliminate a week for the 2012 season.  The new rule must pass one more vote in December before it will take effect.

Earlier this year on the National High School Coaches Association's NHSCA Sports Hour, I spoke with PIAA Executive Director Brad Cashman, who will be retiring at the end of this school year, about the change.

Cashman told me that one of his main goals in his final year as the head of the PIAA is to make sure that the season is shortened.

Click here to listen to that interview and learn why Cashman believes a shorter season is a good thing.

Pennsylvania High School Football Rankings through Week 2

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Defending champ West Catholic fell from its perch as the #1 in Class AA in the latest Patriot-News high school football rankings.

The Burrs fell to #2 after suffering a loss to Archbishop Wood, the #1 ranked team in 3A.  Taking over the #1 spot in AA is Aliquippa, the former #2.

Like West Catholic, defending 3A champ Allentown Central Catholic is also off to an 0-2 start after losing to Bethlehem Freedom Friday night.  ACC falls into this week's honorable mention category in AAA.

Here's the rest of this week's rankings:

Class AAAA -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (2-0) LW: #1
2. North Allegheny (2-0) LW: #2
3. Upper St. Clair (2-0) LW: #3
4. LaSalle College (1-1) LW: #4
5. North Penn (1-1) LW: #5
6. Council Rock South (2-0) LW: #6
7. Neshaminy (2-0) LW: #7
8. Woodland Hills (2-0) LW: #8
9. Downingtown East (2-0) LW: #9
10. Cumberland Valley (2-0) LW: #10

Teams to watch: Bethlehem Liberty 2-0, Coatesville 2-0, Father Judge 1-1, Gateway 2-0, McDowell 2-0, Ridley 2-0, Whitehall 2-0, Wyoming Valley West 1-1.

Class AAA -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Archbishop Wood (1-1) LW: #1
2. Central Valley (2-) LW: #5
3. Bishop McDevitt (1-1) LW: #4
4. Grove City (2-0) LW: #7
5. Hopewell (2-0) LW: NR
6. Montour (1-1) LW: #2
7. Valley View (2-0) LW: #6
8. Thomas Jefferson (1-1) LW: #8
9. Susquehanna Twp. (2-0) LW: #10
10. Cathedral Prep (1-1) LW: NR

Teams to watch: Abington Heights  1-1, Allentown Central Catholic  0-2, Cardinal O’Hara 1-1, Clearfield 2-0, Franklin Regional  2-0, Greater Johnstown 2-0, Strath Haven  2-0, West Allegheny  1-1.

Class AA -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Aliquippa (2-0) LW: #2
2. West Catholic (0-2) LW: #1
3. Lancaster Catholic (2-0) LW: #3
4. North Schuylkill (2-0) LW: #5
5. Seton-LaSalle (2-0) LW: #6
6. Mount Carmel (2-0) LW: #7
7. Trinity (1-1) LW: #8
8. Lewisburg (1-1) LW: #4
9. Greensburg Central Catholic (2-0) LW: NR
10. Beaver Falls (1-1) LW: #10

Teams to watch: Bloomsburg, Hickory 2-0, Northern Lehigh 2-0, Pen Argyl 2-0, Sharon 1-1, South Fayette 1-1, Wilmington 2-0.

Class A -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Clairton (2-0) LW: #1
2. Southern Columbia (2-0) LW: #2
3. Rochester (2-0) LW: #3
4. Dunmore (2-0) LW: #4
5. Sto-Rox (2-0) LW: #5
6. Pius X (2-0) LW: #6
7. Bishop McCort (2-0) LW: #8
8. Mercyhurst Prep (2-0) LW: #9
9. Farrell (2-0) LW: #10
10. Curwensville (2-0) LW: NR

Teams to watch: Juniata Valley 2-0, Line Mountain 1-1, Marian Catholic 2-0, Monessen 2-0, North Star 2-0, Riverside 1-1, Sharpsville 2-0.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores - Week 1

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Friday, September 2, 2011

Abington 35, Central Bucks East 20
Academy Park 27, Upper Merion 6
Aliquippa 41, Laurel 7
Altoona 55, Hollidaysburg 13
Archbishop Carroll 30, Radnor 20
Athens 21, Wyalusing 14
Avon Grove 28, Kennett 21
Baldwin 35, Fox Chapel 10
Bangor 34, Salisbury 0
Beaver Area 42, Elwood City Riverside 0
Beaver Falls 57, Mohawk 7
Bedford 22, Cambria Heights 18
Bensalem 23, Overbrook 6
Bermudian Springs 28, Northern York 19
Bethlehem Freedom 49, East Stroudsburg South 14
Bethlehem Liberty 35, Glen Mills 21
Bishop Canevin 33, Avonworth 6
Bishop McCort 42, Central Cambria 0
Bishop Shanahan 41, Oxford 13
Blairsville 34, Blacklick 14
Bloomsburg 42, South Williamsport 22
Boiling Springs 28, Littlestown 0
Bok 46, Philadelphia South 0
Boyertown 52, Allentown Allen 8
Bucktail 33, East Juniata 13
California 42, Mapletown 13
Calvary Christian 35, Kutztown 0
Camp Hill 26, Biglerville 6
Carlisle 49, Mechanicsburg 37
Carlynton 23, Langley 7
Carmichaels 25, Leechburg 0
Cedar Cliff 45, Elizabethtown 14
Central Bucks West 10, Upper Dublin 7
Central Dauphin 28, Manheim Township 21
Central Dauphin East 54, Spring Grove 6
Central Valley 36, Allderdice 13
Central York 13, West York 7
Chambersburg 43, Greencastle Antrim 42
Chartiers-Houston 35, Union Area 14
Cheltenham 35, Harry S. Truman 0
Clarion 35, Keystone 0
Clarion-Limestone 32, Allegheny-Clarion Valley 0
Claysburg-Kimmel 47, Williamsburg 0
Clear Spring, Md. 41, Fairfield 12
Clearfield 27, Central Martinsburg 20
Coatesville 47, Lancaster McCaskey 27
Cochranton 43, Conneaut Valley 6
Columbia 36, Eastern York 13
Communications Tech 22, Gratz 14
Conemaugh Township 39, Meyersdale 6
Connellsville 40, Uniontown 7
Conrad Weiser 21, Conestoga Valley 13
Corry 30, Girard 3
Coudersport 48, Johnsonburg 13
Council Rock South 42, Central Bucks South 20
Crestwood 19, Berwick 6
Cumberland Valley 35, Red Lion 6
Dallas 28, Wilkes-Barre Coughlin 14
Dallastown Area 10, Warwick 6
Daniel Boone 61, Donegal 7
Danville 38, Shikellamy 19
Del-Valley Charter 44, Mariana Bracetti 6
Delone 40, New Oxford 21
Dobbins 12, Abraham Lincoln 0
Dover 49, Hanover 6
Downingtown West 56, Penn Wood 7
Dunmore 41, North Pocono 21
Easton 24, Pennsbury 0
Ellwood City 57, Freedom 21
Erie McDowell 25, Erie Cathedral Prep 20
Erie Strong Vincent 42, General McLane 28
Exeter 20, Ephrata 12
Farrell 28, Sharon 27
Fels 26, Benjamin Franklin 6
Ford City 10, Kittanning 0
Franklin Regional 55, Plum 0
Frazier 33, Bethlehem Center 21
Garden Spot 35, Twin Valley 0
Glendale 13, Everett 12
Governor Mifflin 34, West Lawn Wilson 28
Greensburg Central Catholic 41, Waynesburg Central 14
Greensburg Salem 34, Hempfield Area 14
Grove City 35, Erie East 7
Hamburg 38, ELCO 15
Hanover Area 15, Susquehanna 12
Harbor Creek 43, Fort Leboeuf 7
Harriton 41, Chichester 26
Hershey 28, Milton Hershey 18
Hickory 35, West Middlesex 6
Highlands 10, Freeport 6
Hughesville 11, Warrior Run 8, OT
Imani Christian Academy 38, Saegertown 20
Imhotep Charter 28, Philadelphia Central 12
Jeannette 47, East Allegheny 6
Jefferson-Morgan 14, West Greene 6
Juniata Valley 42, Tussey Mountain 14
Kane Area 53, Otto-Eldred 20
Knoch 38, Brashear 0
Lackawanna Trail 43, Carbondale 12
Lakeview 27, Union City 13
Lakewood St. Edward, Ohio 24, Penn Hills 6
Lampeter-Strasburg 34, Hempfield 24
Lancaster Catholic 36, Camp Hill Trinity 29
Latrobe 21, Derry 0
Laurel Highlands 35, McGuffey 7
Lebanon 47, Cedar Crest 13
Lewisburg 49, Milton 6
Ligonier Valley 49, Northern Cambria 0
Linesville 62, Cambridge Springs 25
Lower Merion 34, Mastbaum 6
Loyalsock 29, Jersey Shore 15
Mahanoy Area 33, Panther Valley 12
Manheim Central 28, Lower Dauphin 12
Marian Catholic 32, Lehighton 27
Marion Center 14, United 2
Marple Newtown 42, Sun Valley 0
Mars 26, Moon 8
Mastery Charter North 14, Jenkintown 7
Meadville 33, Fairview 14
Mercyhurst Prep 27, Mercer 14
Mifflinburg 32, Shamokin 3
Millersburg 48, Big Spring 29
Minersville 27, Williams Valley 18
Monessen 46, Geibel Catholic 0
Moniteau 26, Karns City 24
Monsignor Bonner 33, Upper Darby 13
Montour 49, Chartiers Valley 14
Montoursville 14, Central Columbia 6
Moshannon Valley 14, Northern Bedford 7
Mount Carmel 22, Selinsgrove 7
Mount Lebanon 34, Pine-Richland 7
Mount Pleasant 24, Charleroi 7
Mount Union 32, Huntingdon 22
Muncy 19, Montgomery 0
Nanticoke Area 48, Montrose 14
Nazareth 61, Pleasant Valley 20
Neshaminy 20, Souderton 13
Neshannock 29, West Shamokin 6
Neumann-Goretti 34, Furness 20
New Brighton 21, Yough 14
Norristown 27, Pottsgrove 20
North Allegheny 53, State College 21
North East 48, Greenville 21
North Hills 35, Perry Traditional Academy 13
North Penn-Blossburg 41, Cowanesque Valley 0
North Schuylkill 35, Shenandoah Valley 0
Northeastern 26, Juniata 15
Northern Lehigh 21, Southern Lehigh 7
Northwestern 13, Reynolds 6
Northwestern Lehigh 47, Palisades 9
Octorara 38, Fleetwood 15
Oil City 41, Iroquois 28
Old Forge 21, Lake-Lehman 7
Palmerton 19, Notre Dame-Green Pond 12
Palmyra 47, Annville-Cleona 0
Penn Cambria 12, Somerset 8
Penn Manor 39, Solanco 13
Penn-Trafford 42, Peters Township 12
Penns Manor 22, Homer-Center 0
Penns Valley 35, Bellefonte 10
Perkiomen Valley 27, Lansdale Catholic 26
Philadelphia Bishop McDevitt 40, Lower Moreland 0
Philipsburg-Osceola 41, Chestnut Ridge 26
Phoenixville 43, Great Valley 27
Pine Grove 26, Northern Lebanon 0
Pittston Area 45, Tunkhannock 6
Pius X 36, Pottstown 32
Plymouth-Whitemarsh 35, Methacton 7
Pocono Mountain East 41, Allentown Dieruff 7
Portage Area 20, Shade 7
Quakertown 27, Upper Perkiomen 20
Reading 21, York 7
Red Land 22, East Pennsboro 21
Redbank 20, Union 14
Richland 35, Forest Hills 16
Ridley 21, Malvern Prep 20
Ringgold 27, Elizabeth Forward 6
Riverview 26, Wilkinsburg 6
Roxborough 41, Edison 6
Saltsburg 22, Purchase Line 20
Sayre Area 29, Columbia Montour Vo-Tech 8
Schuylkill Haven 34, Tri-Valley 6
Schuylkill Valley 49, Cocalico 21
Seneca Valley 47, Norwin 0
Seton-LaSalle 49, Carrick 8
Shady Side Academy 43, Oliver 14
Sharpsville 52, Eisenhower 0
Shippensburg 14, Middletown 10
South Fayette 31, West Mifflin 21
South Western 41, Gettysburg 0
Southern Columbia 42, Line Mountain 25
Southmoreland 48, Brownsville 28
Spring-Ford 63, West Chester East 12
Springdale 14, Pittsburgh North Catholic 6
Springfield Delco 35, Interboro 21
Springfield Monco 30, Bald Eagle Area 14
St. Marys 34, Brookville 28
Steelton-Highspire 12, Halifax 8
Sto-Rox 49, South Allegheny 0
Strath Haven 42, Upper Moreland 6
Stroudsburg 24, Northampton 12
Susquehanna Township 62, Waynesboro 6
Susquenita 14, Newport 13
Tamaqua 34, Jim Thorpe 13
Titusville 19, Warren 5
Towanda 46, Troy 22
Tyrone 17, Bellwood-Antis 6
Unionville 35, Garnet Valley 28
University City 50, High School of the Future 0
Upper St. Clair 49, Shaler 0
Valley View 34, East Stroudsburg North 9
Wallenpaupack 47, Honesdale 2
Washington 42, Clairton 12
West Allegheny 38, South Park 0
West Branch 23, Southern Huntingdon 6
West Chester Henderson 42, Chester 6
West Chester Rustin 21, Penncrest 0
West Perry 27, Mifflin County 21
West Philadelphia 12, Bartram 6
West Scranton 35, Riverside 22
Western Wayne 40, Wyoming Area 34
Westinghouse 36, Bentworth 23
Westmont Hilltop 21, Bishop Carroll 7
Whitehall 46, Blue Mountain 7
Wilkes-Barre GAR 34, Mid Valley 12
Williamsport 23, Central Mountain 13
Wilmington 36, Slippery Rock 14
Windber 53, Rockwood 7
Wissahickon 10, William Tennent 7
Wyoming Valley West 21, Scranton 7
Wyomissing 28, Pottsville 21
York Suburban 33, Susquehannock 12
Youngsville 19, Seneca 7

Several Pennsylvania High School Football Coaches Approaching Victory Milestones

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

I got the juices flowing for the 2011 season with a trip back home to Easton this week.

After a visiting with family, I played in the annual Pius X Golf Tournament at Mountain Manor in Marshall's Creek last Sunday, and then spent two-days with head coach Phil Stambaugh as he put his team through preseason drills in plenty of heat and humidity in Roseto.

Stambaugh has high hopes as he enters his second season as head coach at his alma mater.  Last year the Royals went 8-4.

Now, Stambaugh's eight wins doesn't put him on any all-time wins list, but I thought I'd do a little research this weekend on coaches that have a shot at reaching a victory milestone this season...the 300 Win Club.

A couple of coaches have shots at entering the exclusive club that has only nine Pennsylvania coaches.

Jim Algeo, head coach at Lansdale Catholic since 1969, enters the season nine wins short of 300.  Algeo brings a 291-176-15 record into this season.

In the middle of the state Tim Rimpfel of Cumberland Valley needs a 12-victory season to get to 300.  Rimpfel enters the 2011 season with a record of 288-94-3.

Other possible milestones this year...Jack Henzes of Dunmore High, who Pennsylvania's second winningest coach, is three wins from 350 and Jim Rendor of Upper St. Clair is seven short of the 350 victory mark.

Here's a look at Pennsylvania's 300 Wins Club:

1. George Curry (1967-2008) Berwick & Wyoming Valley West - 413-94-4
2. Jack Henzes (1960-Present) Dunmore - 347-150-8
3. Jim Rendor (1969-Present) Upper St. Clair - 343-114-7
4. Frank Pazzaglia (1970-Present) Mid Valley - 334-131-8
5. Joe Hamilton (1965-Present) Blackhawk - 328-144-11
6. Mike Pettine (1967-1999) CB West - 326-42-4
7. Don Bailey (1974-2009) Forest Hills - 316-83-6
8. Mike Williams (1980-Present) Manheim Central - 310- 61-3
9. Jim Roth (1984-Present) Southern Columbia - 303-62-2

Pennsylvania Moves Closer to Shorter High School Football Season

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football 

Pennsylvania is a third of the way from reducing its high school football season from 16 weeks to 15.

On Friday, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association approved a proposal that would shrink the season beginning with the 2012-2013 season.  In order for the proposal to take effect, it still must pass two more readings in October and December.

Joe Henrich Returns to Bethlehem Catholic as New Head Coach

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

After a five year stint at Emmaus High School, Joe Henrich is back at Bethlehem Catholic.

Henrich, who was Emmaus' defensive coordinator, has been hired at the Golden Hawks new head coach replacing Mike Palos, who was let go at the end of last season.  Henrich served on Beca's staff back in 2005 before moving to Emmaus.

This is Henrich's first head coaching job.

Burrell Names New Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

The Burrell Bucs have turned to a former player to lead the program into this century's second decade.

33-year old Kevin Howatt, who led the Bucs to the 1995 WPIAL Class AA title, has been hired to replace Tom Henderson, who retired in January. Henderson was 110-59 in two stints as Burrell's head coach.

Howatt has been the coach of Burrell's 7th & 8th grade team.

Last season Burrell was 4-5 overall and didn't make the WPIAL playoffs.

The Big 33 Super Bowl Streak Continues

by Jeff Fisher

Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Streaks rule sports.

It starts with winning streaks…losing streaks.

Then there are accomplishment streaks…Joe DiMaggio’s hit streak or Brett Favre and Cal Ripken’s consecutive game streaks.

Today I want to talk about the Big 33 streak.

You don’t know about it?

Well I’m here to tell you on the eve of Super Bowl XV, it’s one of the most amassing high school football streaks that will stand forever.

The first Big 33 game was played 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 18-years, the Big 33 has pitted the Keystone State against stars from Ohio.  It’s been a very competitive series with each state winning nine times coming into this year’s game in June.

The names of those who have strapped ‘em up for the game reads like a who’s who of NFL football…Montana, Namath, Dorsett and the list goes on.

And, that gets me to the streak.

When the Packers and Steelers hit the field tomorrow in Dallas, it will mark the 45^th straight year that a former Big 33 player will compete in the Super Bowl.

That’s right, there’s never been a Super Bowl without a Big 33 alum!!

It all started with Big 33 alum Herb Adderley of Northeast High School in Philadelphia.  Adderley played in the first two Super Bowls with the Packers.  It continues tomorrow with five former Big 33 players on the turf at Cowboys Stadium. 

Continuing the Big 33 streak tomorrow will be Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and safety Ryan Mundy.  On the other side of the ball, Green Bay has three former Big 33 players…linebacker A.J. Hawk, cornerback Brandon Underwood and linebacker Matt Wilhelm.

Roethlisberger, Hawk, Underwood and Wilhelm are former Ohio Big 33 all-stars, while Mundy is a former Pennsylvania Big 33 all-star.

Will the streak hit 46 next year?  Who knows.

But what we do know, much like DiMaggio, Favre and Ripken’s streak, it’s going to be hard to top the Big 33 streak.

Click here to learn more about the game and the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation.

Pennsylvania Big 33 Roster Announced

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh area high school football players will have a big hand in whether Pennsylvania can snap a two-game losing streak to Ohio in the 2011 Big 33 Classic in Hershey.

Two-thirds of the 34-player roster hail from the state's two biggest metropolitan-areas.

Pennsylvania Big 33 Roster

Jamal Abdur-Rahman, LaSalle College H.S., DB
Taylor Bertolet, Exeter, PK
Dave Bowen, Radnor, OL
Dexter Bridge, Conestoga, WR
Julian Campenni, Wyoming Area, DL
Terrell Chestnut, Pottsgrove, DB
Brandon Clemons, Delaware Valley, OL
Devin Cook, Beaver Falls, LB
Morgan Craig, Abington Heights, TE
Tim Cwalina, Mount Lebanon, OL
Vince Czerniewski, North Allegheny, OL
Steve Finley, Harrisburg, OL
Jalen Fitzpatrick, Harrisburg, QB
Paul Gaughan, Dunmore, OL
Desimon Green, Clairton, DL
Justin Haser, North Allegheny, DL
Brandon Holloman, West Catholic, DB
Kyshoen Jarrett, East Stroudsburg South, DB
Quinton Jefferson, Woodland Hills, DL
Matt Johnson, Bishop McDevitt, QB
Jordan Kerner, Fairview, DL
Tyler Kroft, Downingtown East, WR
Corey Majors, Neshaminy, LB
Shane McNeely, Allentown Central Catholic, OLB
Shawn Oakman, Penn Wood, Athlete
Joshua Page, Clairton, DB
Lafayette Pitts, Woodland Hills, RB
Jameel Poteat, Bishop McDevitt, RB
Ejuan Price, Woodland Hills, LB
Nick Rossi, Riverside, RB
Delvon Simmons, McKeesport, DL
Quentin Sullivan, Harrisburg, WR
Jullian Turner, Woodland Hills, OL
Armstead Williams, Gateway, WR

Pius X Wins 8th in a Row to Advance to District Final

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Tower City, PA - In Week 11 you can't call a team young anymore.  However, a team made-up of mostly underclassmen (7 seniors, 44 juniors, sophomore and freshman), can come of age with each-and-every snap.

Saturday night in the District 11 Class A playoffs, the third-seed Pius X Royals, who are part of my season-long feature at my other website High School Football America, grew-up in a hurry with a come-from-behind win over #2 seed Williams Valley in enemy territory.

Riding the arms and legs of 14-year old freshman quarterback AJ Long, the Royals outscored Williams Valley 42-35 to advance to next Saturday's district final against top-seed Schuylkill Valley, which beat Shenandoah Valley 29-14.

Long amassed 421 yards in total offense with 357 yards through the air and 64 on the ground. Long, who completed passes to seven different receivers, was 22 of 34 with four touchdowns.

Junior receiver Matt Camilletti, who caught six of Long's completions, became the Royals all-time leading receiver. Camilletti, who now has 120 career receptions, passed Wade Williams (Class of '08), who had 115 catches in three seasons. Williams was a two-time 1st Team All-Stater during his career in Roseto.

The Royals, who have now won eight straight after an 0-3 start, trailed 35-28 heading into the fourth quarter. Pius tied the game at 35 when Long connected with Josh LaBar on a 26-yard touchdown pass. They then took the lead with 5:51 to go in the game when Long tossed his four touchdown pass to George Dalessandro on a 76 yard catch-and-run.

The game was iced when linebacker Adrian Bernard sacked Viking quarterback Mason Shomper with a little over a minute to play.

To learn more about the Royals' 2010 season, go to High School Football America at www.highschoolfootballamerica.com.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Saturday, November 13, 2010

Playoffs/Districts

Class AAAA
Harrisburg  75  Penn Manor  28
Northeast  13  George Washington  6
State College  35  Erie Strong Vincent  7

Class AAA
Archbishop Wood  24  Cardinal O'Hara  7
Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg)  45  Kennard-Dale  24
Dobbins-Randolph AVTS  13  Roxborough  12
Springfield (Delco)  56  Bishop Shanahan  49
West Scranton  49  Dallas  27


Class AA
Bok  46  Communications Tech  7
Brookville  14  Montineau  7
General McLane  63  Greenville  14
Hickory  40  Fairview  3
Huntingdon  42  Chestnut Ridge  20
Martinsburg Central  26  Ligonier Valley  14
Northern Lehigh  34  Jim Thorpe  19
North Schuylkill  35  Pen Argyl  23
Sharon  28  Girard  7
West Philadelphia Catholic  56  Delaware Valley Charter  8
Wilmington  14  North East  0


Class A
Bishop Carroll  28  Homer-Center  14
North Bedford  28  Conemaugh Twp.  7
Pius X 42 Williams Valley 35
Portage  43  Juniata Valley  28
Schuylkill Haven 29 Shenandoah Valley 14

2010 Pennsylvania High School Football Playoff Brackets

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Thanks to all of my readers who have made the 2010 season our best yet!!

It's time for the second season, and with it comes an exciting partnership for High School Football America that will help my readers get the best info on the Pennsylvania playoffs.

We're working with EasternPAFootball.com, a great website that was started by Dave Miklas over a decade ago.  Mika also has a sister-site WesternPAFootball.net.

Please check-out both sites that will give you the most up-to-date information on the postseason.

Click on the links below to see the statewide playoff brackets for each class from Dave and his staff.

2010 Pennsylvania High School Football Playoff Brackets courtesy of EasternPAFootball.com

Class AAAA
Class AAA
Class AA
Class A
Eastern Conference
Philadelphia Catholic League

Pius X 14-year old Sets New Pennsylvania Freshman Passing Record

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

The Pius X Royals closed-out their regular season in high-style Saturday beating East Juniata 49-28 to win the All-America Conference football.

Not only was it the Royals seventh straight win after an 0-3 start, but 14-year old freshman quarterback A.J. Long set a new state record for passing yards for a freshman. Long threw for 330 yards and five touchdowns giving him a season total of 2,273 yards.

Long has completed 67% of his passes by connecting on 159 of 236 tosses. He's also only thrown five interceptions while tossing 23 touchdowns.

Depending on how deep the Royals can go in the playoffs, Long could approach the national freshman record of 3,309 yards set in 2007 by Maty Mauk, who is currently a junior quarterback at Kenton High School in Ohio.

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores - Week 9

Pennsylvania High School Football Scores
Thursday, October 28, 2010

Abraham Lincoln 26, High School of the Future 0
Fitzsimons 14, Edison 8
Germantown 32, South Philadelphia 8
Overbrook 22, Olney 16
Perry Traditional Academy 40, Westinghouse 6
Saegertown 40, Eisenhower 14