Ohio crushes Pa. in 54th Big 33 Football Classic

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Saturday, June 18, 2011
Posted: 10:42 p.m.

By Gordie Jones
CSNPhilly.com Contributor

HERSHEY, Pa.Akise Teague, a Cincinnati-bound running back from Youngstowns Ursaline High School, scored three touchdowns as Ohio routed Pennsylvania 50-14 in the 54th Big 33 Football Classic Saturday night in Hersheypark Stadium.

Teague, a 5-9, 178-pounder, had scoring runs of 52 and 20 yards in the first quarter. He caught a 40-yard TD pass from Cleveland Glenvilles Cardale Jones, an Ohio State recruit, in the third quarter.

Teague, Ohios MVP in the game, finished with 102 yards on eight carries, and 66 on two receptions.

It was the third straight victory by Ohio in this game, and its 12th in 24 appearances. Pennsylvania has also squared off with all-star teams from Texas and Maryland in the long history of this game. In other years, regional teams from within the state have met.

But on this night, Pennsylvanias highlights were few. Ohio owned a 432-251 yardage advantage, and limited Pennsylvania to minus-8 yards rushing.

It was tough to get anything going, because we didnt play good as a team, said quarterback Jalen Fitzpatrick, a Harrisburg native who will play for Temple this fall.

We just made too many little mistakes, and they took advantage of them, said Pennsylvania coach Tim Rimpfel, of Cumberland Valley. And boy, do they have some speed.

Brandon Clemons, a Michigan State-bound defensive tackle from Delaware Valley High School, did give his team a lift in the second quarter. With Ohio holding a 14-0 lead he burst through the line and had QB Connor Cookwho this fall will also play for the Spartansin his grasp. Cook tried to throw the ball, only to see Pennsylvanias Desimon Green intercept it at the Ohio 36.

That led to a five-yard touchdown run by Sean Barowski two plays later.

I thought it would be something that would get our team going, Clemons said of his big play. We started playing better for a little bit, but we couldnt be consistent.

Ohio immediately answered with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Jones to wide receiver Devin Smith, another Ohio State recruit. It was the first of two scoring receptions for Smith, who also gathered in a 28-yarder from Cook in the fourth quarter. He had three catches for 103 yards in all.

And late in the first half, Fitzpatrick saw his overthrow returned 100 yards for a score by cornerback Doran Grant. Grant is also headed for Ohio State.

That swelled Ohios halftime lead to 28-7. Again and again receivers were running free in the secondary. Again and again the Ohioans pass rush overwhelmed the Pennsylvania offensive line.

Clemons, who played guard and tackle, in addition to seeing time on the defensive line, said there were a lot of miscommunications on offense, particularly among the linemen.

That opened up some gaps (for pass rushers), he said. You cant choke on game day.

Teagues TD reception came with 8:23 left in the third quarter, when Jones found him wide open downfield and he walked into the end zone.

Smith had his touchdown catch with 10:45 remaining in the gameafter which Ohio, interestingly, went for two and converted, making it 43-7.

Pennsylvanias Matt Johnson threw a 22-yard TD pass to Quinton Sullivan (6-118 receiving) with 6:33 to play. But Ohios Keith Heintzman pounded it in from the 1 with 3:47 left, accounting for the final margin.

Fitzpatrick went 4-for-15 for 92 yards, with that second-quarter interception.

Downingtown East wide receiver Tyler Croft, who is headed for Rutgers, had three catches for 81 yards.

Gordie Jones is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the Philadelphia market for 28 years. He also co-authored a book about the 76ers' 1982-83 championship team with former Sixers general manager Pat Williams.For more from Gordie, check out his blog

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