Football: Pennsylvania falls to Maryland, 31-24
MARYLAND 31, PENNSYLVANIA 24 (2 OT)
HERSHEY, Pa. - Neshaminy's Luke Carrezola aided Pennsylvania's bid for a second straight win over Maryland with a third-quarter fumble recovery and fourth-quarter sack, but it wasn't quite enough.
Maryland, which struck for 24 points in the opening 19 minutes, eked out a 31-24, double-overtime victory Saturday night in the 57th annual Big 33 Football Classic at HersheyPark Stadium.
Following Reggie White's 25-yard touchdown grab, Rasheed Gillis clinched the win for Maryland with an interception.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Carrezola, who is ticketed for Connecticut, saw time at defensive end, where he made a big impact, and tight end.
Maryland gained redemption for the 58-27 hammering it took when the series between the states was renewed last year. Ohio was Pennsylvania's previous opponent.
In addition to Carrezola, nine other players from Southeastern Pennsylvania competed in the all-star gala.
Cardinal O'Hara wide receiver Thaddius Smith, who is headed for Boston College, made several receptions. Also seeing considerable time for Pennsylvania was Martin Luther King wideout Delane Hart (Toledo).
In the second quarter, Jalen Jones' 14-yard TD pass to Jalen Joppy and cornerback Josh Woods' 55-yard interception return upped Maryland's advantage to 24-0.
In addition to Carrezola, Coatesville linebacker Tyler Burke (Maryland), La Salle linebacker Zaire Franklin (Syracuse), and Perkiomen Valley safety Rasaan Stewart (Villanova) shined for Pennsylvania's defense.
In the fourth quarter, with Pennsylvania down by 24-21, Franklin notched a pair of stops and teammate Brandon Feamster, a cornerback from Downingtown East who will go the prep-school route, broke up a pair of passes near the sideline.
In the closing minutes of regulation, with Council Rock South's Eric Gallo (Virginia Tech) positioned at center, Pennsylvania advanced deep into Maryland territory and forged a 24-24 tie on Joe Julius' 29-yard field goal.
In helping deny Maryland a score on its first OT possession, Stewart broke up a pass to the end zone.
Maryland 14 10 0 0 0 7-31
Pennsylvania 0 7 7 10 0 0-24
M: Marquel Dickerson 72 run (Alex Potocko kick)
M: FG Potocko 38
M: Kevin Joppy 14 pass from Jalen Jones (Potocko kick)
M: Josh Woods 55 interception return (Potocko kick)
P: Chase Edmonds 29 run (Joe Julius kick)
P: Terry Swanson 5 run (Julius kick)
P: Mark Pyles 21 run (Julius kick)
P: FG Julius 29
M: Reggie White 25 pass from Antwaine Carter (Potocko kick)