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Tough Blow for Big 33

4/15/2020

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By Josh Rizzo
When it comes to the Big 33 Football Classic, there seem to be more barriers popping up every year to challenge one of Pennsylvania high school football's proudest traditions.

Due to concerns with the coronavirus pandemic, a common enemy of anyone who enjoys sports or sanity in general, the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association was forced to cancel this year's version of the game Tuesday.

"Due to the uncertainty of the weeks ahead with the Coronavirus constraints placed upon each individual, our schools, families, and the organizations and businesses that help make this holiday weekend one of the best in the country, we cannot move forward in holding these events or our exciting football games," the group posted on their website Tuesday. "Our top priority is the health, safety and welfare of all of our participants, families, workers, sponsors, and fans."

The Big 33 features a roster of Pennsylvania's best senior football players taking players from Maryland. Since the first game was contested in 1958, Pennsylvania has had a rotating schedule of opponents. In the first contest, Pennsylvania defeated a team made up of the best players from around the country. Maryland has been Pennsylvania's foe since 2013.

Mars football coach Scott Heinauer, who is a member of the PSFCA, was disappointed to see all of the athletes lose their chance to compete.

"I hate to see any all-star game get canceled in any sport any athletes because that is something that is an honor to be selected to this type of a game," Heinauer said. "Especially the Big 33 game in football. It's an honor to get to play with all of the best players in Pa. that see you see play all year long or read about in the newspaper."

Holding the game, which pits the top prep football players in the state against the best from Maryland, has been a difficult task in recent years. The PSFCA previously saved the contest after the Big 33 Foundation went belly up, citing unsustainable debt in January 2017.

What state coaches were hoping to preserve was a unique streak started by Herb Adderley on Jan. 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

By suiting up at defensive back for the Green Bay Packers in the AFL-NFL World Championship game (retroactively known as Super Bowl I), the graduate of Philadelphia's Northeast High School became the Big 33's first participant to suit up on the game's biggest stage.

There has been at least once participant from the game in every Super Bowl since. What has made things difficult to maintain such consistency is how the high school sports landscape has changed.

Competition from other all-star games has also made things more difficult to bring in top players. Mars senior defensive lineman and Notre Dame recruit Michael Carmody skipped this game to participate in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, and the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii.

The Planets have had five players participate in the Big 33 in the school's history. Heinauer, who believes PSFCA president Garry Cathell does a nice job putting together the game, would like to see the game return to a matchup of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Pennsylvania played Ohio from 1972-76 and 1993-2012 and before starting settling on its current setup with Maryland.

"I do think this game has lost its luster simply because it's very difficult to compete on a national level with some of these games nowadays," Heinauer said. "Both (of Carmody's games) were on National TV and all the costs were paid for by the sponsors. I belong to the PSFCA and do support the Big 33 All-Star football game. ... I would like to see PA play Ohio again. I always liked the game more and though interest was generated when PA played Ohio."
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Former Shaler Area defenseman named to NA3HL rookie team

4/3/2020

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Picture
Yellowstone Quake defenseman Spencer Platt moves the puck during a NA3HL contest during the 2019-20 season. Platt, a Glenshaw native and former Shaler Area standout, finished fourth on the team with 36 points in 47 games.
                                                                                                                                                      Submitted Photo


By Josh Rizzo
Spencer Platt found being knocked off his skates wasn't so bad.


When the 5-foot-9, 155-pound defenseman decided to forgo his senior season at Shaler Area High School to play in the North American 3 Hockey League, he knew adjustments would be necessary. Facing older players and moving to Cody, Wyo., were sure to provide new challenges.

Platt, 18, found the right balance to flourish with the Yellowstone Quake. Platt was named to the NA3HL All-Rookie team in March. He finished fourth on the team with 36 points, including 28 assists and eight goals in 47 games.

"I think it was a great place to start for me," Platt said. "It got me into the rhythm of playing with guys who are 20 or 21 years old. Those guys are three inches taller and 50 pounds heavier who have more knowledge of the game than I do. I knew it was going to be an adjustment because when these guys hit at the next level, they hit hard. Once you get hit hard a few times, it's not that bad."

Platt, who was a PIHL Class AA All-Star as a junior with the Titans, found plenty of support while away from home. The billet family he lived with watched him as actively as his family members.

"Being a smaller defenseman, I relied on my speed," Platt said. "I also had a really great host family that they were all telling me what I could do better. My family would be watching the games on Hockey TV and they'd call me after. Even my coaches would break down video of me to watch on my own. I want to move up and that's what it takes."

Platt didn't end up getting all the clips he wanted. 


The Quake's season was cut short following the Frontier Division quarterfinals. Yellowstone, which finished in fourth place with a 19-25-2-1 record, were set to play division winner Bozeman in the semifinals when the season was canceled due to the coronavirus in mid-March. The Quake swept Gillette 2-0 in the first round.

"After the first round of the playoffs, we were coming together more than we had all year," Platt said. "I think if anything that series (with Bozeman) would have gone to three games, win or lose."


With one season of junior hockey under his belt, Platt has his eye on trying to work toward being a collegiate player. While the Quake still own his rights, Platt has requested a trade to try and get closer to Western Pennsylvania.

Platt's spoken with the Johnstown Tomahawks and Bismarck (N.D.) Bobcats of the Tier II North American Hockey League.

The NAHL's draft is in June. Until then, Platt is going to focusing on training the best way he can.


"Without ice time, that's a major loss for training," Platt said. "I'm fortunate enough to have shooting pads at my house. I can also do some running and overall fitness. I want to do whatever it takes to stay in shape and eat right."
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    Author

    My name is Josh Rizzo, I am a sports writer who has worked for a variety of print and online media for the past 15 years. I specialize in community journalism, focusing on regular people who happen to play sports.
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