Sports

H.S. FOOTBALL

The Times Leader staff

Trying to shake off the biggest mistake of the game, Penn State recruit Curtis Drake turned to an old teammate and a new one in Saturday’s annual Big 33 Football Classic.

A critical fumble by Drake at the goal line put his Pennsylvania squad in a deep hole against Ohio, but he helped dig back out of it in the fourth quarter of Ohio’s 38-31 victory at Hersheypark Stadium.

Down by a touchdown in the final three minutes, Drake – who played quarterback Saturday but will be a receiver at Penn State – found West Catholic teammate Rob Holloman out of the backfield for a big gain into Ohio territory.

A few plays later, he hooked up with incoming Penn State tight end Garry Gilliam (Milton Hershey) down the seam to put the ball at the 1-yard line.

Drake, who was named MVP for Pennsylvania, scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on the next play on a QB keeper to tie it at 31.

Ohio responded with an 80-yard drive and won the game on a rushing touchdown with 20 seconds remaining.

With the score tied 17-17 midway through the third quarter, Drake completed his biggest pass of the night, converting a fourth-and-long over the middle.

With the ball on the 1, Drake looked to be going for a QB sneak, but he couldn’t handle the exchange from center. Ohio came out of the pile with the ball and immediately responded, throwing a 99-yard touchdown on the next play for a 14-point swing.

Fellow Penn State teammates OL Mark Arcidiacono (St. Joseph’s Prep) and Gilliam also played. A fourth PSU player, Steelton-Highspire DL Jordan Hill missed the game with an injury.

West Scranton’s Eric Shrive, also headed to Penn State, was selected to play but opted out earlier in the year. West Scranton’s commencement was on Thursday.