Reports: Michigan to play in high school football All-Star game against Ohio
The West All-Stars take to the field in the East-West All-Star football game June 23 at Lubbers Stadium in Allendale.
Mark Copier | MLive.com file photo
The state’s top senior high school football players will soon be able to test their talents against the best competition from across the border.
Michigan and Ohio will face off in the inaugural Ohio-Michigan Border Classic on June 14, 2014, both states coaches associations have announced.
The game, to be held in Findlay, Ohio, and will pit each state’s top 40 seniors against one another. Each team will be selected by a five-person coaching staff.
The Michigan High School Football Coaches Association has previously sponsored an East vs. West All-Star game in June, held this year at Grand Valley State. That game will likely be ending with the formation of the Michigan-Ohio All-Star game, according to The O-Zone.
“We want to increase our range of communications and visibility as a state and promote our kids as much as possible and this move allows us to do that,” MHSFCA All-Star Game chairman Jim Sparks told MIPrepZone.
Tyler Palka of Saline, Michael Steinhauer of Chelsea, Tyree Waller of Lincoln and Drew Diedrich of Father Gabriel Richard participated in this year’s East vs. West game.
Ohio had previously played an annual All-Star game against Pennsylvania, before Pennsylvania stopped participating after this year. Ohio had won for four years in a row.
Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Kyle Austin
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:16 p.m.
We've updated the story to add Drew's name. Certainly didn't mean to leave him out, just missed his name when I scanned the list, that's all.
spg
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.
Also, I believe there are 11 players from that team playing college football next year at various levels.
sportsnut
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.
Kyle, I also second spg's comment. It seems Gabriel Richard is always forgotten about even despite all the success they have achieved over the past few years making the playoffs, two district titles, a regional title, trip to the state semi-finals, and league championships. Drew Diedrich was an essential part of the state semi-finalist team this past year and is headed to Cornell to play football. Kinda disappointing to see the newspaper representing Ann Arbor not acknowledging its own athletes and a successful team right in its backyard.
spg
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 4:34 p.m.
Kyle, Drew Diedrich from Father Gabriel Richard also played in this year's game. They are becoming one of the top programs in the area, but always seem to be forgotten in the press. T hat is until playoff time when they are the only remaining area team still playing!
Blue Marker
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
The Big 33 will be missed. I wonder why Pennsylvania is pulling out after all these years? I don't think Michigan will fare much better. Ohio is one of the best states for high school football in this country. Right up there with Texas and Florida.
Kyle Austin
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 3:36 p.m.
I'm not too familiar with the event, but the article linked above seemed to insinuate that it had become a bit one-sided. Pennsylvania pulled out to start an All-Star game with Maryland, which I would think would provide a bit lower competition level compared to Ohio.