Penn Hills’ Mason achieves goal of making Big 33 game

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, July 6, 2018 | 3:30 PM

Heading into his senior season, Penn Hills tight end/linebacker Darrell Mason had goals of being a first-team all-conference selection as well as being selected to the annual Big 33 Football Classic. Mason accomplished both.

The Robert Morris linebacker recruit put the pads on one more time for the Pennsylvania team that lost to Maryland, 9-6, on June 16 at Central Dauphlin High School. Pennsylvania had the only touchdown called back by a penalty in the second quarter.

The Big 33 Football Classic was the second all-star game Mason participated in since the end of his senior season. He also played in the NFBD All-Star Showcase on May 20 at Wolvarena. However, Mason loved saving the Big 33 game for last.

“I was honored to play in both games, but I was really honored to play in the Big 33,” he said. “When I got there, they said there hasn't been a Super Bowl played without Big 33.

“That motivated me to go harder at the next level because playing in that game is the best of the best. I'm almost there, but I still have work to do.”

Mason, who was honorable mention all-conference as a junior, was mulling offers from IUP and St. Francis (Pa.). The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker also received offers from Slippery Rock, West Virginia Wesleyan, Seton Hill and West Virginia State.

As Mason prepared himself for the collegiate level with former Indians teammate and Michigan State recruit Julian Major, he understood there was a fine line when participating in an all-star game.

“You have to go out there and know what you're doing,” he said. “You don't have to go full speed every play, but if you don't go full speed or know what you're doing, then you can get hurt. You have to keep your head on a swivel and know what everyone is doing.”

The Indians finished with an 8-4 overall record, 3-3 in the Class 6A Northern Seven Conference. Penn Hills, led by first-year coach Jon LeDonne, made its deepest playoff run since 2008.

The Indians' season ended with a 17-8 loss to Central Catholic on Nov. 10 in the WPIAL semifinals.

Aside from being recognized for his prowess on the football field, Mason wanted to put Penn Hills back in the Big 33 game. The last Penn Hills representative at the game was lineman Mike Ames in 2015.

Ames is the starting center for St. Francis (Pa.)

“My sophomore and junior years, Penn Hills players weren't playing in the Big 33 game,” Mason said. “I felt like everyone but players from Penn Hills were playing in the Big 33, so I felt disrespected. My goal was to get up there and show that Penn Hills is good, too.

“It's nice to say that I was the first Penn Hills player to play in a couple of years. But it also gives my younger brothers from Penn Hills to know that Darrell Mason made it to the Big 33, and they know they got a chance, too. That keeps them working on things.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills