Pennsylvania holds off Maryand to win fourth straight Big 33 Classic

(This story will be updated later tonight with additional details and postgame reaction.)

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania has dominated recent Big 33 Classics with its staunch defense; it allowed just one touchdown in winning the last three games over rival Maryland.

This time the Keystoners allowed the go-ahead score with 2:29 left, only to come back with a touchdown of their own to win 31-27 Sunday night at Bishop McDevitt’s Rocco Ortenzio Stadium.

Maryland was turned back one last time on the final play of the game as Rhamir Stewart of Imhotep Charter knocked away a potential scoring pass inside the 10 as time expired.

Pennsylvania has won four straight and seven of the last eight.

Pennsylvania’s winning score came on a deep fade, with Dallastown’s Kelly Johnson pulling in a beautifully thrown ball from Upper Dublin’s Colin O’Sullivan with 1:15 remaining.

One play earlier Johnson took a short crossing routes and turned on the jets for a 55-yard score, but Team Pennsylvania was called for an illegal block on the play at the 31.

Wilson’s Cam Jones and Exeter’s Anthony Caccese were the lone selections from the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

Jones, an All-State pick, started at cornerback, was used as a gunner on kickoff coverage and lined up at several different spots on the punt team. He will play next season at Holy Cross.

Caccese, an All-State offensive lineman, started at right tackle and played that spot most of the way. He will play collegiately at the University of Delaware.

Maryland took its only lead with 2:29 remaining when quarterback Sean Johnson made a nifty cut inside to complete a 10-yard option TD run for a 27-24 lead. The 80-yard scoring was kept alive six players earlier when Pennsylvania was penalized on a fourth-down stop at its 36.

Maryland pulled within 24-20 on Sean Williams’ 4-yard TD run with 2:44 left in the third quarter. The score was set up by a 58-yard reception by Max Moss to the 20.

The Keystoners went up 17-7 just before halftime when Sincere Smith of Westinghouse  returned a punt 66 yards for a score. Earlier in the half, the California of Pennsylvania recruit returned a for PA 59 yards, though it was called back by a penalty.

Pennsylvania took the lead less than two minutes into the game, with McKeesport’s Jahmil Perryman, lineup up as the quarterback in a Wildcat set, broke off a 52-yard scoring run for a 7-0 lead.

Pennsylvania extended the lead to 10-0 on its second possession when Ben Sonowski of Hollidaysburg converted a 43-yard field goal.

Maryland got on the board in the final seconds of the first quarter on Bryce Cox’s 15-yard run to make it 10-7. The score was set up by a 35-yard completion from Jack Pellicotti to Corey Jones. Cam Jones was not used in the secondary on that series.

The Pennsylvania defense came up big at the end of the first half, stopping Maryland’s Max Moss 1 yard short of the goal line after a 4-yard catch. Time ran out before Maryland could get off another play.

Cam Jones was named Berks County Player of the Year and Outstanding Back, Offensive Back of the Year and Defensive Back of the Year in Section 1 of Lancaster-Lebanon League.

He rushed for 999 yards, averaging 9.2 yards per carry after taking over at tailback three games into the season.

The 6-7, 280-pound Caccese was one of the pillars on a powerful offensive line that led Exeter to its first District 3 championship in 2021 and reached the Class 5A title game again in 2022, falling to Cocalico.

He helped the Eagles go unbeaten in their first season in Section 2 and set a school record with 12 wins.