7 players from WPIAL selected to Big 33 roster

By: Michael Love
Friday, February 13, 2026 | 11:59 AM

The WPIAL will be represented by seven players on this year’s Pennsylvania Big 33 football team.

The Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association announced the 40 players and coaches selected Friday morning as part of the annual PSFCA clinic in Camp Hill.

Those selected were Avonworth offensive lineman Peter Bonnet, Pine-Richland offensive lineman Braylen Price, Peters Township offensive lineman Max Cortes, Aliquippa defensive tackle Justus Starks, Moon cornerback Myles Turner, Pine-Richland cornerback Dajaun Webb and Central Catholic long snapper Rory Knipp.

Bonnet, Cortes, Starks and Knipp helped their teams capture WPIAL championships, with Bonnet leading the Antelopes to the PIAA crown at Cumberland Valley.

Gateway’s Don Holl will head up the Pennsylvania coaching staff and will be assisted by Ligonier Valley’s Roger Beitel and Brashear’s Andrew Moore.

The 69th Big 33 Classic pitting senior stars from Pennsylvania against those from Maryland will be May 24 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field.

“It is an amazing honor and a privilege to be a part of this game and this experience,” said Holl, who previously coached in the 2007 East-West all-star game, was the offensive coordinator for the Big 33 Pennsylvania team in 2012 and served as an East-West head coach in 2021.

“I love Pennsylvania football and am incredibly proud to be from Pennsylvania. Every year, our football is amazing all across the state, and you can see that in these players who will represent Pa. in this game. Myself and the other coaches are excited to get to work with this team and hopefully bring the trophy back where it belongs.”

Holl said there always are tough decisions in the selection process that produces the list of select team members.

“There is great effort given to get the best players for the team by position, and the roster shows that,” he said.

A fan fest, military recognition, a girls flag football championship game and pregame ceremonies will lead to the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

Veterans and military members receive free admission.

Pennsylvania has been the centerpiece state for the Big 33 since the first game in 1957 with Ohio and Texas also a part of the game’s history.

The series against Maryland started in 1985, and the original run carried into the early 1990s. The states resumed a partnership in 2013, which continues to the present.

Maryland took bragging rights last year with a 42-21 win over Pennsylvania.

The Keystone state dominated the 2024 Classic, winning 31-7.

“Each year, guys who lined up against each other on the offensive and defensive lines are now pulling together for a common cause of state pride,” Holl said.

“That is the same for the Maryland guys. I don’t think there is a bigger honor as a high school player than to be selected for this game.”

Well-known Pennsylvania Big 33 alumni include Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Tony Dorsett, Ricky Watters, Kyle Brady and Damar Hamlin.

Ben Roethlisberger played for the Ohio team in the 2000 Big 33 Classic after his senior year at Findlay High School.

“Each year, the Big 33 proudly highlights the exceptional student talent that sustains one of the most respected traditions in high school football,” said Garry Cathell, executive director of PSFCA and the Big 33 Football Classic.

“This year’s outstanding group of student-athletes, cheerleaders and buddies truly represents the best of the best, coming together for one of the nation’s most prestigious games. Fans will have the opportunity to see tomorrow’s collegiate stars compete as members of the PSFCA Big 33 family.”

For the entire Pennsylvania roster, visit Big33.org.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Brashear, Central Catholic, Gateway, Ligonier Valley, Moon, Peters Township