July 22, 2000

Gilbert to coach Ohio's 33

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

It's going on 20 years now that Steve Gilbert has been leading football teams into battle, but tonight the Columbian football mentor will have an experience like no other.

At 7 p.m. Gilbert will lead a group of 33 of the best graduating football players Ohio has to offer against a similar bunch from Pennsylvania in the annual Big 33 football game, arguably the top high school all-star contest in the country.

The game will take place in Hershey, Pa. and will air live on Fox Sports Ohio.

"This is something that I'm just honored to be a part of," Gilbert said. "It's something that's really a special part of my career, and it's all possible by what has happened at Columbian. I hope it's something the whole community shares in the idea that our football program is going to be recognized all over. It's not just me. It's everything the kids and coaches have done in the past."

Handicapping all-star games is usually an act of futility. Even so, Gilbert already is assuming the role of underdog &emdash; and with good reason. The Pennsylvania squad has more than one reason to be emotionlly ready for this game.

For starters, Ohio has won three of the last four meetings between the two states, including two in a row. That's the first time either team has won two straight since the rivalry became exclusive to Ohio and Pennsylvania in 1993.

Second, tonight will be the Swan Song for legendary Pennsylvania high school coach Mike Pettine Sr, who retired after last season. In more than 30 years of coaching Central Bucks West High School, Pettine racked up more than 340 victories against just 58 losses.

"I think being the underdog is always going to be Ohio's claim," Gilbert said. "We go over there, and it's their game. I think they'll come out extremely emotional because we've won the last two, and it's Pettine's last game. He just retired and he is like the Joe Paterno of high school football in Pennsylvania. His record is just mind-boggling. So, the whole stage seems to be set against us, but we're ready."

Since 1993 Columbian has been represented in the Big 33 four times. Defensive lineman Tony Eisenhard played in the 1995 game, running back Nick Newland participated in 1998, and in addition to this year, Gilbert was also an assistant on the 1998 team.

There is only one player from the area this year, but he's a good one. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from Findlay raised eyebrows when he threw for more than 50 touchdowns and more than 4,000 in leading the Trojans to 10-2 record and a Great Lakes League championship.

It's no surprise he's caught the eye of Gilbert.

"I got to watch him in the North-South game, and he just made plays," said Gilbert, who only had one practice with his team before they departed for Hershey last Friday. "He runs well, he's a great athlete, the kid's just a competitor. I really like the way he handles himself."

The other quarterback is Nathan Poole, a play-action passer from Grove City. They'll be joined in the backfield by Ray Huston of Centerville and Vinnie West of Steubenville, both of whom ran for more than 1,900 yards during their senior seasons. Sean McHugh, a 6-5, 250-pounder from Chagrin Falls, is the fullback.

The top wide receiver is Michael Larkin from Cincinnati St. Xavier, a 5-8, 165-pounder who starred in the North-South game.

"I got to watch a lot of these kids in the North-South game, and the more I watched, the more I felt better about the kids we picked because they really stood out," Gilbert said. "I got a chance to spend some time with their families, and not only are they great football players, but I was impressed with the way they handled themselves (off the field)."

Top Ohio defensive players include linebackers Joe Radich (Perry) and Brian Heizman (St. Xavier) and defensive back B.J. Barre (Toledo Whitmer).

Pettine ran a power game at Central Bucks West, but special rules for the Big 33 will prevent that.

"You talk about going into a game blind; this is what we're going into," Gilbert said. "The only thing we know about them is Central Bucks is a power high school. I mean they just line up and knock you off the ball. But in this game you have to throw 40 percent of the time so it's best to just spread people out.

"The game is really about individuals making plays," Gilbert said. "Who is going to make it happen? It's going to be a game of who makes the plays."

On the Net: http://www.big33.org