Big 33 Classic, East-West all-star games set to kick this weekend
Tommy Grabowski and Nevin Carter will get to play with some of their Wyomissing teammates one last time Sunday when they take part in the PSFCA East-West Small School All-Star Game at Bishop McDevitt’s Rocco Ortenzio Field.
The Small School game kicks at noon and is the front end of a double-header, with the Big School game set to start at 6:30.
Between games the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association will induct five members into its Hall of Fame, including former Gov. Mifflin coach Mick Vecchio.
Joining Grabowski and Carter in the Small School game will be, Amory Thompson, Julian DiMaio, Rory Filoon and Ja-Mhi Jackson.
Three Berks players will compete in the Big School game: Logan Klitsch of Conrad Weiser, Kyle Helm of Exeter and Nate Millard of Daniel Boone.
On Monday, Wyomissing’s Aiden Mack will play for Pennsylvania in the 65th annual Big 33 Classic against Maryland, starting at 2 at Bishop McDevitt.
The Small School game features players from Class 1A, 2A and 3A schools; t he Big School feature players from Class 4A, 5A and 6A schools.
Mack, who is committed to Richmond, is one of 38 players on the Pennsylvania roster. He is listed as a tight end.
Mack was a two-way starter who helped the Spartans reach back-to-back PIAA Class 3A championship games and win three consecutive district titles. He was selected for the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class 3A All-State team and was an All-Berks pick at both tight end and defensive end.
He averaged 24.8 yards on his team-leading 10 receptions but is known more for his blocking ability; that’s what helped him draw attention from college coaches. He was a key in a Wyomissing offense that averaged 310 rushing yards per game.
Mack is the just second Wyomissing player selected for the prestigious game. Dave Cardy, who went on to play at Temple, played in the 1983 game.
Carter, Thompson and Grabowski were picked for the Pennsylvania Sportswriters Class 3A All-State team.
Carter was a true lock-down cornerback who was rarely challenged because of his defensive prowess. He had three interceptions, returning one for a TD.
Grabowski rushed for 1,417 yards, scored a team-best 26 touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry. He was a three-year starter at linebacker and was second on the team with 73 tackles.
The 6-3, 240-pound Jackson was a defensive end who had 21 tackles and 10 quarterback pressures.
The 5-10, 200-pound DiMaio was a Berks Football League Section 2 second-team all-league pick at both center and defensive line. He is listed on the East roster as a defensive tackle.
The 6-3, 185-pound Filoon was a starting outside linebacker who had 21 tackles and nine quarterback pressures.
Klitsch, who will play at Dartmouth, was named Berks Football League Section 2 Offensive Back of the Year after throwing for 2,405 yards and 24 touchdowns in 12 games. He was the All-Berks quarterback after completing 65.4 percent of his passes and compiling a 174.6 passing efficiency rating, tops in Berks.
Millard was an All-Berks punter and all-league placekicker. He hit 4-of-7 field goals, with long of 46. He was good on 23-of-25 PATs and recorded 19 touchbacks in 10 games.
Judd Novak of Manheim Central is the other quarterback listed on the East Big School roster. Other players from District 3 schools include: Running back Kamil Foster of Bishop McDevitt, offensive lineman Kyle Yeager of Central Dauphin, linebacker Luke Williams of Elco, cornerback Justin Cook of Harrisburg and cornerback Tyrell Ford of C.D. East.
The Wyomissing players are among 15 Small School players selected from District 3 schools, along with Middletown defensive end Tajae Broadie, Lancaster Catholic punter Danile Mueller and Steel-High wide receiver Tyrone Moore.
Two players from PIAA Class 3A champ Central Valley were selected for the West squad: Running back Landon Alexander and linebacker Matt Merritt.
Joining Vecchio in the Hall of Fame class are Rick Pennypacker, Rick Taylor, Terry Bupp, Pat Monroe, Tom Nola, Jerry Wasilack.
The Big 33 Class and East-West games had been most recently played at Central Dauphin before the shift to McDevitt this year.
Last year was the first time the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association split the annual All-Star game into a Big School/Small School format.
Five Wyomissing players were selected for the inaugural Small School game last year: Jordan Auman, Darren Brunner, Aidan Cirulli, Seamus Filoon and Zach Zechman.
Tri-County game rescheduled
The 20th annual Tri-County all-star game, featuring the top seniors in the Lancaster-Lebanon League, will be played Tuesday at 7 at Manheim Central. It had been scheduled for May 27 but was postponed.
Wilson quarterback Brad Hoffman will play for the South All-Stars.