Butler Still Searching for New Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Butler Area High School will close the application process for a new head football coach next Friday.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that officials are looking an experienced head coach to take over the AAAA program. The search began in the middle of December after the school district voted not to retain Jeff McAnallen after an 0-9 season.

New School: Central Valley Moves Toward Naming First Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that former Monaca head football coach Mark Lyons is the top candidate to become the first head football coach at newly formed Central Valley High School in western Pennsylvania.

Central Valley, which will play in AAA this fall, is a blend of athletes from the former Center Area and Monaca high schools.

Lyons led Monaca to the WPIAL championship in 1998, '99 and 2000.

Pennsylvania Roster Announced for Big 33 Game

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Big 33 officials have announced the Pennsylvania roster for the 53rd edition of the all-star game in Hershey on June 19th.

Bishop McDevitt, State College and Woodland Hills lead the way with three selections apiece. Dick Beck of North Penn will coach the PA stars who lead the current series with Ohio 9-8.

Pennsylvania Big 33 Roster

Taj Alexander, Downingtown East
Evan Battillio, Norristown
Tyler Beck, Wilson West Lawn
Sam Bergen, LB, East Stroudsburg South
Seth Betancourt, St. Joseph's Pep
Drew Carswell, WR, Sto-Rox
Cullen Christian, DB, Penn Hills
Sal Conaboy, Abington Heights
Aaron Donald, DL, Penn Hills
Jack Deboef, State College
Jonathan Duckett, Bishop McDevitt
JD Dzurko, North Penn
Brendon Felder, WR, Gateway
Travis Friend, Cumberland Valley
Corey Ford, Bishop McDevitt
Manasseh Garner, WR-DB, Brashear
Anthony Gonzalez, QB, Liberty
Richard Gray, DE, Woodland Hills
Drake Greer, K, Bishop Canevin
Mike Hull, LB, Canon-McMillan
Ryan Keiser, Selinsgrove
Alex Kenny, State College
Joe Laukaitis, OL, Upper St. Clair
Adam Metz, Lower Dauphin
Khaynin Mosley-Smith, DL, Woodland Hills
Dayonne Nunley, WR-DB, Gateway
Tom Ricketts, OL, North Allegheny
Tyler Smith, QB, Wilson (Easton, PA)
Dom Timbers, RB, Woodland Hills
Colby Way, State College
Kevin Weatherspoon, WR-DB, Clairton
Jarrod West, WR, Liberty
Salath Williams, Bishop McDevitt
Matt Williams, Cardinal O'Hara

Great Valley Football: What Does a Coach Have to Do?

by Jeff Fisher
Pennsylvania High School Football Huddle

Passing along a great article I read today on-line from Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Matt Geib, who looks at the strange situation around the search for a new head football coach at Great Valley High School outside of Philadelphia.

The Great Valley School District has decided not to renew the contract of Gary Phillips, who's been with the Patriots for 17-years. What makes this article a must read is the way district officials are turning a deaf ear to faculty members and people in the community.

According to the Geib's story, 91 of 111 teachers in the district have signed a letter supporting Phillips, who is re-applied for his job. That's pretty amazing for a program that has had more ups than downs!

The bottom line in this story is...what counts more wins and losses or a leader, who has the respect of a majority around him?

The story states that 35 people have applied for the job, including Phillips. The deadline for submitting an application is this Thursday.

We'll keep you posted.