Pennsylvania dominates Big 33 once again

HARRISBURG, PA — The 2022 Big 33 Classic was business as usual for Team Pennsylvania as it defeated Team Maryland, 28-7, on Memorial Day at Bishop McDevitt’s Rocco Ortenzio Stadium. It was Pennsylvania’s third consecutive win in the series and its seventh victory in nine meetings since Maryland returned to the Big 33 in 2013. Overall, PA is 14-3 against Maryland in the Big 33, dating back to when the two states first battled in the series in the 80’s and 90’s.

Mount Lebanon High stars Alex Tecza (Navy), Eli Heidenreich (Navy) and Joey Daniels (Undeclared) led the way for Pennsylvania.

Daniels completed 6-of-10 pass attempts for 104 yards, including a 10-yard TD toss to Heidenreich with 8:20 remaining in the opening quarter, as PA jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on its first possession.

Tecza, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry, rushed 18 times for 94 yards, including a 10-yard TD burst late in the third quarter to advance Pennsylvania’s lead to 21-0. Heidenreich led all receivers with 96 yards on four catches. Tecza also made four catches out of the backfield for 32 yards.

PA’s second quarterback, Perkiomen Valley’s Ethan Kohler (West Chester State) completed 5-of-8 passes and ran for a 9-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Belle Vernon’s Devin Whitlock (Pittsburgh) scored the Keystone State’s final touchdown, in the fourth quarter, on a 4-yard rush.

Maryland, which was under siege all afternoon by a Pennsylvania defense which allowed just 132 total yards, did break through for its first touchdown in the game since 2017 when quarter back Henry Wise quarterback Jayden Sauray (Maryland) completed his only pass of the day to his Wise teammate Dadrian Carter-Williams (Chowan) who broke wide open for a 46-yard touchdown reception with 1:20 to play in the third quarter. Maryland trailed 21-7 at that point.

Penn State bound Keon Wylie of Imhotep Charter, led the Pennsylvania defense and was named Team MVP after recording two tackles, one pass breakup, a sack and countless hurries.  Bishop McDevitt’s Ryan Russo (Rutgers) also had a big game of the PA defense, finishing with a game-high nine tackles and an interception. It was the only turnover in the contest.

Broadneck quarterback Josh Ehrlich (Marist) was Maryland’s most productive player on offense, completing 6-of-12 passes for 37 yards and rushing nine times for 46 yards.

Parkside’s Terrez Worthy (Undeclared) was named Team MVP for Maryland for for a pair 39-yard kickoff returns. He also caught a pass.

Dundalk’s Dalan Johnson (Bowie) and Bullis Prep’s Jamari Young (East Carolina) led the Maryland defense with seven tackles each. Milford Mill’s Andrew Rheubottom (Mount Union) added six tackles and a pass breakup, while his Milford Mill teammate Tahseen Howard (Robert Morris) broke up a potential touchdown in the end zone in the second half.

65TH BIG 33 CLASSIC(at Rocco Ortenzio Stadium)

PENNSYLVANIA 28, MARYLAND 7

MD  0  0  7  0  —  7PA   7  7  7  7  —  28

1STQPA - Eli Heidenreich 10 pass from Joey Daniels (Nathan Kirkwood kick), 8:20

2NDQPA - Ethan Kohler 9 run (Kirkwood kick), 3:42

3RDQPA - Alex Tecza 10 run (Kirkwood kick), 1:40MD - Dadrian Carter-Williams 46 pass from Jayden Sauray (Andrew Petrino kick), 1:20

4THQPA - Devin Whitlock 4 run (Kirkwood kick), 8:22