Drake, Hollomon star, but Ohio defeats Pa.

HERSHEY, Pa. - Six months away from football didn't make Curtis Drake or Rob Hollomon any less electrifying.

As they did last season while leading West Catholic to a 14-2 record and the PIAA Class AA state championship game, the lightning-quick duo ignited Pennsylvania against Ohio last night in the annual Big 33 Football Classic.

Drake and Hollomon combined for 328 yards of total offense. It wasn't enough, though, as pass-happy Ohio posted a thrilling 38-31 victory at Hersheypark Stadium. Ohio's first win since 2005 trimmed Pennsylvania's advantage in the series to 12-10.

Drake, a quarterback expected to play slot receiver at Penn State, rushed 15 times for 98 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 6-foot, 170-pounder connected on 8 of 18 passes for 166 yards. He also returned a punt for 21 yards.

Hollomon, a running back, starred mostly as a kick returner. The 5-8, 160-pounder returned five kickoffs for 203 yards. He carried seven times for 21 yards.

In the first half, Drake, named Pennsylvania's most valuable player, carried eight times for 86 yards and a score. On the second play from scrimmage, he escaped for a 24-yard gain. That set up a 1-yard scoring plunge by Lyle Marsh.

After Ohio took a 17-7 advantage midway through the second quarter on a 35-yard TD pass, Drake immediately went back to work. On the play following a flubbed onside kick, he zipped 42 yards to the 1. He covered the remaining distance on the next snap.

Hollomon played a key role in the squad's first score. Finding daylight on the right sideline, he returned the opening kickoff 59 yards to the Ohio 39. Three plays later, he rushed 14 yards to the 1.

In the second half, Hollomon, bound for Cushing Academy, a prep school in Ashburnham, Mass, had kickoff returns of 18, 58, and 47 yards.

Drake's second 1-yard score of the night, with 2:21 to play, evened the game at 31. Four plays earlier, a Drake-to-Hollomon connection netted 43 yards.

Notes. West Catholic's Brian Fluck was Pennsylvania's offensive line coach. . . . Drake was one of four team captains. . . . In addition to his 29-yard field goal in the second quarter, North Penn's Brandon McManus booted four extra points and averaged 30 yards on three punts. . . . St. Joseph's Prep lineman Mike Pinciotti notched a first-quarter sack.

Ohio 7 10 14 7 - 38

Pennsylvania 7 10 0 14 - 31

P: Marsh 1 run (McManus kick)

O: Toussaint 46 pass from Nicely (Freese kick)

O: FG Freese 42

O: Joplin 35 pass from Boucher (Freese kick)

P: Drake 1 run (McManus kick)

P: FG McManus 29

O: Hyde 99 pass from Boucher (Freese kick)

O: Toussaint 6 run (Freese kick)

P: Marsh 1 run (McManus kick)

P: Drake 1 run (McManus kick)

O: Replogle 1 run (Freese kick)