Another shooting star emerges at Highlands
Friday, January 15, 2010
By Mike White
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Where are the stars?
The Big 33 all-star football game has announced the roster for its Pennsylvania team, and some of the best players in the state weren't on it.
Over the past few years, the Big 33 game has lost some of its luster and one of the reasons is because top players are skipping the game for various reasons. Some simply don't want to play in the game, some are starting college early or some have other commitments. This year's game (Pennsylvania vs. Ohio) is June 19 in Hershey.
Two years ago, Jeannette's Terrelle Pryor turned down an invitation to play. Last year, star Gateway linebacker Dorian Bell didn't play because he played in two all-star games, the maximum allowed by the NCAA.
This year's Pennsylvania team is missing a handful of top players. Most noticeably absent from the team is Philadelphia Washington defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd, who is widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the state. He played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Saturday and made a verbal commitment to Florida. But he won't be in the Big 33 game.
Philadelphia Cardinal O'Hara receiver-running back Corey Brown (Ohio State) also isn't on Pennsylvania's roster. You'd have to think Manheim Central defensive lineman Dakota Royer and Central York defensive lineman Kyle Baublitz would've been picked for the Big 33, as well as maybe Sto-Rox quarterback Paul Jones. But all three graduated early and have enrolled at Penn State for the spring semester.
This is not to downgrade the players who made the team this season. Pennsylvania has talented players. But when the best ones aren't playing, it takes something away from the game.
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