Zubovic declines Big 33 offer

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 | 5:03 PM

Blake Zubovic was honored to receive an invitation to the Big 33 Football Classic, but the senior lineman from Belle Vernon declined the offer.

A Pitt signee, Zubovic said he doesn’t want to risk injury playing in the game, set for 7 p.m. June 16 at Central Dauphin’s Landis Field, near Harrisburg.

Zubovic said he planned to play in at least one all-star game, if he was chosen, after his senior season. That turned out to be the International Bowl game last month in Texas. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound two-way tackle played for the USA Football U-19 team in International Bowl IX. He was the only WPIAL player in the event.

“I didn’t know (at the time) if I made the Big 33 yet,” he said. “I just don’t want to risk getting hurt.”

Although I will not be playing due to injury risk I am honored to have been selected to play in the Big 33 game!! pic.twitter.com/j6dEebCyQ9

— B I G Z ? (@blake_zubovic66) February 21, 2018

Zubovic was hindered by an ankle injury early in his senior season but he helped lead the Leopards (10-1) to a Big Nine Conference title and a trip to the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals.

He signed with Pitt during the NCAA’s first early-signing period in December.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Belle Vernon