Talent evaluators, it’s time to grab your notepads and fill your gas tanks.Nine Temple football signees will be participating in all-star games in Pennsylvania and New Jersey over the next six weeks. And some of them will be pulling double-duty.
It all starts with local standout Daryl Robinson playing in the Philadelphia Daily News City All-Star Game on Saturday, May 19, at Northeast High School. And that’s just the beginning of Robinson’s all-star journey. He’s also been selected for the big one – the 50th Annual Big 33 All-Star Classic, to be held on Saturday, June 16, at HersheyPark Stadium in Hershey, Pa.
Arguably the top high school all-star game in the country, the Big 33 Game will once again match Pennsylvania’s top grid stars against Ohio’s best. There was serious talk last year that Ohio would be replaced by Maryland, which served as Pennsylvania’s opponent from 1985-92. But a disagreement over Ohio’s player selection was settled and the two states are now ready to butt heads again, having split their last 14 games.
Three future Owls will be participating in the PSFCA East/West All-Star Game, scheduled for Saturday, June 23, at Mansion Park in Altoona, Pa. Pittsburgh-bred defensive back Jared Williams will play for the West team, while Lancaster tight end Matt Balasavage and Downingtown lineman Jeffrey Howie will be suiting up for the East. Pennsylvania’s “other” showcase has developed nicely since it was founded seven years ago.
Before Howie heads to Altoona, he and fellow Downingtown native Richie Walls will play in Chester County’s All-Star Game, the 9th Annual Valor Bowl. The contest will take place at Great Valley High School on Thursday, May 31.
In New Jersey, the Owls will have four all-star representatives.
Much-heralded linebacker Amara Kamara has been named to the New Jersey squad for the NY/NJ All-Star Football Classic (formerly the Governors Bowl), which will be held at Rutgers Stadium on Sunday, June 10. Kamara might go head-to-head with fellow Temple signee Derek Dennis, a lineman picked for the New York team.
Wide receiver Michael Campbell and lineman Lloyd Codada have been selected to participate in the New Jersey North-South All-Star Game, also slated for Rutgers Stadium, on Thursday, June 28.
While summertime is all-star time in the Northeast, the kids in Florida enjoyed their postseason tradition awhile back. In fact, the all-star games in the Sunshine State are as much a recruiting showcase as anything else.
In January, Temple signee Joseph Jones showed his stuff in the South Florida All-Star Game, which matches the best players in Broward County against the best players in Dade County. Jemarr Anderson participated in the Florida Shrine Bowl.
The number one goal for all of these all-star games: Stay healthy.
Last summer, current Owls freshman John Palumbo dislocated his ankle and broke his fibula in the Bergen County All-Star Classic. Palumbo rehabbed for six months before enrolling for classes and joining the team in January. Now he’s listed as Temple’s starting left guard.
In 1991, Steelers linebacker Rian Wallace tore up his knee in workouts before the Big 33 Game. Wallace missed a full season before starting his Temple career.
So, considering how things turned out for both of them, maybe there’s no need to worry. Unless we’re talking about gas prices.