The 2024 Big 33 Classic, pitting top seniors from Pennsylvania against Maryland all-stars, is scheduled to be played Sunday, May 26 at Cumberland Valley High School.
This year, the YAIAA will have two representatives on this year's roster: Spring Grove's Michael Hershey and New Oxford's Idriz Ahmetovic.
The Big 33 boasts some big name players from over the years, and every Super Bowl has featured a player that also played in the prestigious Classic.
Ahead of the 2024 game, here are some facts to know about Big 33:
- The first game was played in 1958. Pennsylvania defeated the National All-Americans, 7-0.
- Dallastown grad Kenny Johnson was named MVP of the 2023 game, the only player from York County to earn the honor.
- While Pa hasn't fared that well against Texas and Ohio, the Keystone State has dominated its current opponent in Maryland, holding a 15-3 edge in the all-time series.
- Pa. has won the last four games (it wasn't contested in 2020), including two shutouts.
- York High has sent the most players to the game (15), followed by Central York (8) and Hanover (6). Hanover's last player was in 1965, while Central has sent six since 2019.
York-Adams football players selected to Big 33
Bermudian Springs
Darren Oswald, 1994
Charles Green, 1970
Biglerville
Christopher May, 1997
Central York
Treyshawn Smith, 2022
Trenton Dunnick, 2022
Judah Tomb, 2021
Josh Gaffney, 2021
Isaiah Sturgis, 2021
Cade Pribula, 2019
Wayne Tribue, 2008
Brad Senft, 1976
Dallastown
Kenny Johnson, 2023 (MVP)
Mitchell Groh, 2021
Sean Pitzer, 1984
Tracy Smith, 1983
Delone Catholic
Ray Gouker, 1974
Pat Staub, 1973
James Smith, 1973
Rick Bunty, 1971
Mike Sunday, 1969
Dover
Aaron Cochran, 1998
Eastern York
Jon Witman, 1991
Gettysburg
Brandon Streeter, 1995
Francis Alberts Jr., 1968
Hanover
Jeff Duncan, 1965
Don Coffman, 1963
James Heilman, 1960
Ted Kehr, 1960
Gary Amspacher, 1959
Dave Rodman, 1958
Littlestown
Leonard Bucher, 1975
Gene Appler, 1961
New Oxford
Idriz Ahmetovic, 2024
Red Land
Adam Keller, 2010
Steve Keim, 1991
Rob Brenner, 1989
Patrick O’Neill, 1989
Heath Snell, 1988
Red Lion
Scott Fitzkee, 1975
South Western
Mike Felton, 2011
Aaron Brady, 1995
Spring Grove
Michael Hershey, 2024
David Shaw, 2014
John Shaw, 2003
West York
Brody Kern, 2013
Keith Zimmerman, 1973
Mark Brenneman, 1970
John Sprenkle, 1970
York High
Joden Nelson, 2022
Malik Generett, 2009
Knowledge Timmons, 2005
Omar Brown, 1993
Emne’ko Sweeney, 1993
Tisen Thomas, 1989
Andre Powell, 1987
Chris Doleman, 1980
Greg Orr, 1975
Brad Carr, 1974
Tony Sexton, 1967
Rod Nixon, 1962
Jim Rowe, 1962
George “Jorge” MacMillan, 1961
Sonny Folckomer, 1957
York Catholic
Bill Khayat, 1991
Matt Johnson, 1983
York Suburban
Mikey Bentivegna, 2023
Steve Cusma, 1980
Series records for Big 33
Pa. vs. Maryland: 2013-present, 1985-92 Pa leads: 15-3
Pa. vs. Ohio: 1993-2012, 1972-76 Ohio leads: 13-12
East Pa. vs. West Pa.: 1977-84, 1968-71, 1961-63 West leads: 9-6*
Pa. vs. Texas: 1964-67 Texas leads: 3-1
Pa vs. USA: 1958-60 Pa. leads: 2-0-1
* The 1963 game featured a Blue/Gray format, with the Blue team winning
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