2002 Recap
Written by: Big 33 Staff on July 20, 2002.
It was redemption time for Steve Breaston of Woodland Hills. Last December, Breaston played in the PIAA Quad-A Championship game in the cold, mud and rain. Due to the a verse weather conditions, Breaston was never able to truly showcase his athletic prowess as his Wolverines suffered a loss to Neshaminy. Before a crowd of 17,800 at the 45th Annual PNC Big 33 Football Classic, Breaston put on quite a show leading his Pennsylvania side to a 40-17 win over a heavily favored Ohio team.
Breaston was the recipient of two long touchdown passes, 66 yards and 70 yards, from Pennsylvania quarterback Tyler Palko and added a two-point conversion all in the first quarter to help propel the Keystone State boys to victory. He also racked up 112 yards in punt returns to add to his total yardage of 281 for the night.
His first touchdown catch came with 10:41 left in the first quarter, but Ohio answered right back with quaterback Justin Zwick connecting with Mark Philmore for an 84-yard touchdown pass less than 20 seconds later.
On Pennsylvania’s next possession Palko once again found Breaston, this time for a 70-yard scoring strike and the PA squad never looked back. Breaston’s two-point conversion run made up for the PAT that was blocked after his first score.
Eddie Scipio intercepted the ball 56 yards for another Pennsylvania touchdown, giving them a 21-7 lead.
One of Ohio’s highlights was David Abdul’s 57-yard goal in the first half, which set a new Big 33 record. Pennsylvania kicker Matt Domonkos answered with field goals of 31 and 52 yards to give his team a 27-10 half time lead.
In the second half Jamar Brittingham scored twice on runs of one and 12 yards that built the PA lead to 40-10. Justin Zwick ended the scoring when he tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brandon Cornell with 6:39 left in the game to settle the score at 40-17.
Breaston was the Most Valuable Player for Pennsylvania for his outstanding performance on the Ohio Co-MVP’s were Cornell and Abdul.
