PSFCA East vs West/Big 33 2021 Practice Galleries and quotes

Tagged under: All-Stars, Game Photos, News

Tristan Klinefelter | May 17, 2021

Big 33 practice Altoona

2021 PSFCA Big School East Practice

Quotable:

Matthew Pajuste- Just got done playing in the Spring how do you feel? “It’s not the best but at the same time, it’s football. I definitely still feel in football shape and playing in the Spring definitely has helped me here considering I’ve just played two weeks ago.

What is your favorite part about this experience so far?- “Definitely making connections because a lot of these guys I’ve met playing against them or down the recruiting trail one way or the other. This is really just giving everyone one last chance to enjoy high school football and do it as teammates”.

This is your last high school game. What are you looking forward to? “I just wanna have fun. I think that’s one thing that I lost playing in games. A lot of it was I can’t mess up because I have to get recruited and we have to win. Especially for me, this is just to have fun”.

Joe Henrich– As the head coach what is your favorite part about this game? “Well, I don’t know if there is one. I mean the first thing that jumps out is getting the opportunity to work with kids from all over the place. Just for them to be a part of my life and for me to be part of their process and journey is really exciting. I was fortunate enough to coach the Big 33 game a few years ago and I still keep in touch with some of those guys and I’m sure it will be kinda the same here”.

What is your message to the team for this game? “What is gonna be the difference in the game. The difference will be how good we listen, how hard we work, and how well we come together as a team. That is the part that is undervalued a little bit by some. The importance of playing on the same page and caring about the person next to them that they didn’t even know before today. The key is to understand the critical points, pull together, and create the best team”.

Jason Henderson and Aiden Oliver— Playing as teammates one last time, how does that feel for both of you? Aiden-” It’s kinda sad but at the same time he (Henderson) is going off to Old Dominion and is ready to get his next chapter started”.

Jason- “He’s been a brother all through high school and to play one more time is tough mentally but at least we get one more shot”.

What are your guy’s goals for the game? Jason- “ My goal is kinda to see how I match up with the rest of the state and do my best while having fun. And to meet new players and coaches and hopefully win”.

2021 PSFCA West Big School Practice

For more go to https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17owY-WraRF9Hz70dn2aZUQpi75FEbfCm

QUOTABLE:

Don Holl, Head Coach: What are some of the difficulties coaching a game like this? “I guess the good news is we are in better position than we were in the fall. All the coaches here are vaccinated, we have different rules on masks, but other than than we’re just going to be vigilante and when we start playing it looks a lot like football.”

What’s the difference between getting an all star team ready on the first day and getting your own team ready? “There are some difference but there are also some similarities. You have to be careful about volume compared to what you’re going to try to do. Out guys, we woulda been working out all summer and we’d just go do what we have to do. This group we have to start from square one, but again, we’ll get it done and it’ll look like football.”

Don Kreisburg, Seneca Valley: How does it feel to strap up one more time? “It feels awesome to be out here with some of the best talent in PA.” How tough has it been dealing with covid? “I’m just glad it looks like we’re close to the end. I’m just looking forward to competing with these guys.”

JD Besch, Bellefonte: What’s it mean to be able to play one more time for high school football? “It means a lot, I love the game of football. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I’m excited to get started!

Owen Anderson, Jersey Shore: This feels great. We lost to the kids from TJ in states but now I get to play with them. Happy to meet new people and play the game of football.”

Seth Griffiths, Central York: You played in the state championship last year, now you get to strap up one more time. What are your feelings? “It feels good to strap up one more time. This high school atmosphere is great. I love football and I’ve been playing since I was five years old.” What are you looking forward to the most? “The excitement the game brings. You know, the East West and the Big 33 are the elite all star games. This is probably one of the greatest honors, being selected to play, that I’ve ever received since I started playing.”

2021 PSFCA West Small School Practice

(got there just before lunch, will have more pics next week)

Quotable:

Ameer Dudley, Central Valley: Your coming off a state championship game, now here you are in what is your last high school football game, describe the feeling: “Just trying to have fun. I have some of my friends here playing. I’m starting to build some relationships with the guys at Harvard but man, this the last time I’m gonna get to play with those guys after a lifetime of being with them”.

Paul Risley, Bucktail: You’re the first player to be selected for an East/West game from Bucktail, how does that feel? It’s really good accomplishment. My coach told me I was the first one to be picked for this game but I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, coaches and just everybody supporting me. What are you looking to take back home? “Just the game. Trying to learn something that maybe I never knew before. It’s definitely a different experience. There’s definitely a different level of players.

Nyasanu Green, New Brighton: The fall was difficult, you played your last game in a brutal season, how does it feel to be picked for this game? “I felt like I earned this not just for me but for my teammates. Playing with Ameer and Josh Campbell, we were the only three to get picked out of our area to get picked so it meant a lot.” What are you looking forward to? “Making connections, that’s what life is all about. I get to play with all these kids and now I’m gonna know them for the rest of my life.” What’s it like getting on the field with this talent? “I like a challenge. Out here, it’s all gas and no breaks. When I heard they were going to have a small school game, I was like sign me up for that!”

Eric Depew, York Catholic: Coach, you can feel the excitement here. “I don’t know who’s more excited, me or the kids. It just feels great to be out here coaching. What’s great is these kids are the best of their classes, they know how to play football. You just tell them what to do and the do it.”

2021 PSFCA East Small School Practice

QUOTABLE:

Coach Mike Farr- “What’s your favorite part about teaching and coaching all these kids?– “You know they are the best athletes in the state so it’s always fun having the opportunity to coach this type of talent. Again, I’m not really coaching them you’re just telling them the things you want them to do. It’s always fun to watch them come together, mature, and build new relationships. 

What are you looking forward to in the game?– “Well this is the first time we’re ever playing a small school game so it’s a little near and dear to me because I was the one that took it to the board and took it to the district reps. So for me, it’s a little proud moment because we’re literally starting a new chapter in Pennsylvania state football. I’m drawing to an end of this coaching career so it’s just another stepping stone for me and I’m gonna enjoy the day and having all the coaches I’ve been around my whole life. So for me, It’s just enjoying the moment and having a good time. 

Chad Parton- Big all-star game and you haven’t played since the fall, what are you looking forward to? == “Different competition on a level that I am not used to and playing with good players around me”. 

Favorite part of this experience? == “Meeting new people and playing with good players”. 

Pat Mason, Favorite part “Being a small school in Schuylkill County we don’t get the chance to see some of these other schools play like Notre Dame Green Pond and Steel-High as well as seeing our kids get the chance to play with them. Having two kids on the team is nice and coaching a lot of talent is pretty cool. 

Coach Erby– What are you looking forward to in the game? == “I’m really looking to see the kids come out and compete and the kids play together. Because of these little small practices, you build relationships that last a lifetime. 

Cross Douglas- “I can’t wait to put the pads back on and go get some hits in. Playing with the best kids on this side of the state I’m just excited”. 

Jacob Hoffman–“I really have enjoyed meeting new kids that love the game of football just like us”. 

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews