Maryland snaps losing skid, tops Pennsylvania all-stars in Big 33 Football Classic

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, May 25, 2025 | 11:41 PM

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SILVER SPRINGS TWP. — Jy’Aire Walls eventually found his feet. But the Central Catholic quarterback’s 78-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter came too late to help Pennsylvania’s dominance over Maryland in the Big 33 Football Classic to continue.

The Keystone State only scored once in the first half and fell 42-21 to Maryland on Sunday, ending a streak of five consecutive victories.

This was the largest margin of victory in the series by Maryland, which improved to 4-16 all-time against Pennsylvania. Maryland’s largest previous win was a 35-20 decision in 1991.

Walls finished with 107 passing yards, including the long touchdown pass to Ziyyon Bredell (Abraham Lincoln).

“I had to leave with one,” Walls said. “It was my birthday, so I had to leave with one touchdown.”

Pennsylvania coach Matt Ortega, who is the coach at Coatesville, said he was happy with how Walls persevered.

“He battled through some ups and downs,” Ortega said. “He came back and battled through adversity. That’s what quarterbacks do.”

Maryland put the hammer down from the kickoff. Maryland sucked seven minutes off clock and marched 75 yards on 11 plays, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Evan Blouir.

On Pennsylvania’s first possession, an exchange between Walls and Imhotep Charter running back Jabree-Wallace Coleman wasn’t clean and the ball went soaring in the air.

“It wasn’t expected, but that’s what comes when you play with people you haven’t played with for a while,” Walls said. “It wasn’t nothing crazy, but it happens.”

Maryland pounced on the fumble and scored five plays later.

Davon Smith Jr. threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to King Jones to double Maryland’s lead.

Turnovers halted Pennsylvania’s second drive as well.

Anthony Redfern made a leaping interception on a Patrick Madden (Danville) pass to get the ball back. Blouir stretched the lead to 21-0 when he threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Miles Halbert.

Pennsylvania struggled to move the ball, averaging 1.1 yards per carry. Steel Valley’s Donald Barksdale led Pennsylvania with 27 yards on six carries.

Maryland outgained Pennsylvania, 447-255.

“Our approach was simple,” Maryland coach Tom Abel said. “Put the best guys on the field and perform. Make sure we make plays and rally. … Up front on the O-line and D-line was the game-changer. We wanted to be physical and take the fight to Pa.”

Brandon Reed (Pope John Paul II) scored Pennsylvania’s first touchdown with 4 minutes, 38 seconds left before halftime.

However, Maryland didn’t let Pennsylvania build any momentum, extending the lead to 28-7 at the half following an 88-yard touchdown run by Tijuan Reed.

Reed led Maryland with 113 rushing yards, and Davon Smith Jr. added 88 yards.

Dominic Diaz-Ellis scored Pennsylvania’s other touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Madden. Bredell’s touchdown early in the fourth quarter gave Pennsylvania hope.

But it was Maryland’s night.

“We had a couple opportunities even with the bad start,” Ortega said. “We needed to score first after halftime and get a stop, and it didn’t happen that way.”