Four future Buckeyes strap it up for Ohio tonight in the annual Big 33 Classic

Four future Buckeyes will be in action for the Ohio team in tonight’s Big 33 Football Classic at Hershey, Pa.

The four OSU signees set to play are Cleveland Glenville cornerback Christian Bryant, Columbus Marion-Franklin quarterback Verlon Reed, Youngstown Boardman defensive end J.T. Moore and Solon defensive end Darryl Baldwin. A fifth OSU signee, East Cleveland Shaw wide receiver Tyrone Williams, was scheduled to play but pulled out of the game.

The game, set for a 7 p.m. start, will be televised by NFL Network.

The Ohio team pulled out a 38-31 win over the Pennsylvania squad last year, snapping a three-year losing streak in the Big 33 for the Buckeye state. The Pennsylvania side has a slender 9-8 edge since the Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 series resumed in 1993.

The 2010 Ohio team, coached by Cortland Lakeview’s Tom Pavlansky, looks like it will match up well against Pennsylvania. There are 21 signees for BCS schools on the Ohio squad compared to 19 for the Pennsylvania team. (The full Ohio roster is listed below.)

Besides the four OSU signees on the Ohio roster, some other key Ohio players include TE Brendan Carozzoni (Pittsburgh), safety Mike Dorsey (West Virginia), wide receiver Chase Hammond (Wisconsin) and quarterback Mark Myers (Pittsburgh).

Some of the key names on the Pennsylvania team include QB Anthony Gonzalez (Pittsburgh), LB Michael Hull (Penn State), CB Alex Kenney (Penn State) and OL Sal Conaboy (Maryland). The Pennsylvania team is coached by Dick Beck of North Penn.

Steve Channell of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association helped us get hooked up with the four OSU signees scheduled to play in the Big 33 game. Here were some of their comments as they prepared for the game:

Bryant: Manning The Corner

Here were some comments from Bryant:

On what he has enjoyed this week in Hershey: “This week has really been about bonding with the guys and meeting with our (special needs) buddies. It’s been a good experience and a humbling experience.”

On what a win could mean: “It would mean a lot. I know the team last year won the game. We don’t want to let our state down.”

On where he’ll be in action: “This experience should help us. I know I couldn’t wait to get back on the field where I need to be. I could be playing some at corner, some at wide receiver and returning kicks in this game.”

On enrolling at OSU on Monday: “I am looking forward to it. I’m just trying to get my mind right for the classroom. It’s not like I’ve been out of school a long time. It’s only two or three weeks, but I am looking forward to getting started down there.”

On the chance to contribute as a true freshman: “I feel I could play this year. If I do what I need to do and listen to the coaches and become a smarter player and listen to the older guys, I can become a better player.”

On teammate Verlon Reed and his play at quarterback this week: “He has looked real good here this week. I think he will be a real asset for us at Ohio State.”

Reed: Coming In As Athlete

Here were some comments from Reed:

On what this week has been like: “It has been great to be here this week. It’s been a very humbling experience. There is a whole lot of tradition around this game.”

On what he expects for the game: “I know the game will be very competitive. We have been seeing the opposing team a lot. There’s been a whole lot of staring down. But I know we will go out there and have fun. It’s an all-star game, but it is still very serious. The competition is what this game is all about. It’s the best of the best from both states. You don’t want to try and do too much and make bad mistakes. But you want to prove why our state is the best.”

On his play at quarterback this week: “It’s been going real good. I’m never satisfied. I want to keep working to get better. I think I have been throwing it pretty well.”

On enrolling at OSU and his role with the Buckeyes: “I am very excited for it. I know it will be tough there this summer. I am sure I will get used to it and being on my own. As far as my role, we talked about it earlier this year. I’m going in as an athlete. They said I would have a chance as a quarterback. But wherever they decide to put me, it will be fine.”

Moore: Pass Rush Specialist

Here were some comments from Moore:

On being tapped for the Big 33: “I am pretty excited to be a part of this. There have been a lot of great players from Ohio who have played in this game. We have to get ready to do our best.”

On what it should be like tonight: “This game will be under the lights with a huge crowd and it will also be on TV. This is a big pride thing for both states.”

On starting his college career: “I plan to drive to Columbus on Sunday. I am just anxious and excited thinking about what’s going to happen there next week.”

Baldwin: Pride Of Solon

Here were some comments from Baldwin:

On what he’s enjoyed this week: “It’s been a lot of fun. I have gotten back on the field with some of my friends and gotten to hit them a little bit.”

On the rivalry between the states: “I think the game will be pretty intense. We had a competition against Pennsylvania. It was a medicine ball toss. They beat us, so we want to get back at them in the game.”

On heading to OSU: “I am getting up Sunday morning and driving to Columbus. I am kind of nervous, but I am also excited about it. I know it will be something completely new. But I think I am ready for it to happen.”

Big 33 Football Classic
53rd Game: Saturday, June 19
Kickoff: 7 P.M.
Where: Hershey Park Stadium, Hershey, PA
TV: NFL Network (Live)
Rosters: Click Here For PA

Ohio Big 33 Roster

Head Coach: Tom Pavlansky (Cortland Lakeview)

Assistant Coaches: Arvie Crouch (Mount Healthy), Doug Davault (Orrville), Travis Moyer (Wynford), Roy Thobe (Fairborn), Jeff Bayuk (Campbell Memorial)

No., Player, School, College, Height, Weight, Position

98, Pete Bachman, Cincinnati Elder, Indiana, 6-5, 245, DT
85, Darryl Baldwin, Solon, Ohio State, 6-5, 255, DE
18, Shane  Belle, Cleveland Glenville, Ball State, 6-1, 180,
17, Devin Brown, Cincinnati Mt. Healthy, Undecided, 5-10, 170, WR
2, Christian Bryant, Cleveland Glenville, Ohio State, 5-10, 175, CB
80, Brendan Carozzoni, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Pittsburgh, 6-4, 215, TE
10, Quintin Cooper, Clayton Northmont, Ball State, 5-9, 175, DB
25, Mike Dorsey, Warren Harding, West Virginia, 6-2, 200, S
4, Te Elias, Cortland Lakeview, Lake Erie College, 5-8, 174, RB
9, Mark Fackler, Kenton, Kent State, 6-4, 240, DE
53, Darius Gilbert, Hamilton, Bowling Green, 6-3, 265, DT
5, Tyson Gulley, Akron Garfield, Syracuse, 5-9, 180, RB
11, Chase Hammond, Youngstown Boardman, Wisconsin, 6-4, 200, WR
47, Chase Hoobler, Orrville, Indiana, 6-2, 220, LB
74, Travis Jackson, Columbus DeSales, Michigan State, 6-5, 265, OL
77, Andy Jomantas, Chaminade-Julienne, NC State, 6-8, 255, OL
1, Dwight Macon, Steubenville, Toledo, 6-0, 195, Athlete
72, Greg Mancz, Cincinnati Anderson, Toledo, 6-4, 270, OL
13, Sam Miller, Orrville, Kent State, 6-0, 180, WR
50, J.T. Moore, Youngstown Boardman, Ohio State, 6-3, 240, DE
54, Jeff Myers, Massillon Washington, Toledo, 6-3, 290, OL
8, Mark Myers, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Pittsburgh, 6-4, 195, QB
6, Brandon Neal, West Chester Lakota West, Ball State, 5-9, 170, CB
58, Roosevelt Nix, Reynoldsburg, Kent State, 6-0, 250, DT
3 Odis Prunty, Lakewood St. Edward, Ball State, 5-11, 175, CB
7, Verlon Reed, Columbus Marion-Franklin, Ohio State, 6-0, 172, QB
79, Matt Rothermam, North Olmstead, Pittsburgh, 6-6, 305, OL
75, Kevin Schloemer, West Chester Lakota West, Cincinnati, 6-6, 270, OL
71, Clint Shepherd, Eaton, Cincinnati, 6-3, 273, OL
24, Lee Skinner, Fairborn, Buffalo, 6-1, 205, LB
46, Jewone Snow, Canton Mckinley, West Virginia, 6-4, 234, LB
29, Casey Spear, Mayfield, Vanderbilt, 5-10, 165, K
90, Terry Talbott, Huber Heights Wayne, Michigan, 6-2, 280, DT
14, Terrence Talbott, Huber Heights Wayne, Michigan, 5-10, 170, DB