Atlanta Falcons‘ back-up quarterback Matt Schaub may not get playing time in Super Bowl LI, but he’s already had a hand in a piece of Super Bowl history. Schaub’s spot on the Falcons’ roster extends the Big 33 Classic’s streak of having an alum in every Super Bowl. The Big 33 Classic, which is considered by many, including myself, to be America’s best all-star high school football game, is played annually in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Schaub, who played his high school football at West Chester East High School (West Chester, PA), played in the 1999 Big 33 game. Ironically, Schaub, who’s only thrown three passes this year, backs-up Matt Ryan, another Southeast Pennsylvania high school quarterback, who played his high school ball at William Penn Charter, but didn’t play in the Big 33 Classic.
Over the years, Pennsylvania all-stars have squared-off against all-star teams from Maryland, Ohio and Texas. On other occasions, Pennsylvania has faced an all-USA team. Currently Pennsylvania is in a five-year deal playing Maryland all-stars. The current series began in 2013, ending a 19-year series between PA and Ohio.
The streak started when Pro Football Hall of Famer Herb Adderley played for the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I. Adderley was a Big 33’er from Northeast High School in Philadelphia. Adderley was a great three-sport athlete in high school, having been named All-City in football, baseball and basketball.
Earlier this month, the Big 33 Scholarship Foundation, which has is responsible for putting-on the game, announced it was closing its doors because of declining contributions and mounting debt. The Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association will take-over the game, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year.
Super Bowl LI will be played February 5th in Houston, Texas.
