Big 33 Football Classic

The accolades on the highly-successful 2023 season, which culminated in the team’s second MIAA B title in three years, continue to pour in for Concordia Prep gridiron performers as four key players were selected to participate in the 67th annual Big 33 Football Classic.

Wideout Keshawn Mister, linebacker Camerin Gross, defensive back Darian Hill, and offensive lineman Daniel Cousler headline the Maryland squad, which will face an all-star contingent from Pennsylvania on May 26 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.

“We are honored and excited for our four guys to represent our state in the Big 33 game,” Saints coach Joe Battaglia said. “It is a tremendous compliment to them as top players in the state as well as our program to be so well represented."

Mister, who is headed to Old Dominion University (Va.), guided the Saints to a 11-1 record this past fall, including a 35-0 thrashing of John Carroll in the conference final at Towson University. He did so as the team’s starting quarterback where he passed and rushed for nearly 1,200 combined yards and 16 total touchdowns.

“His playmaking abilities helped propel us throughout key situations all season,” Saints offensive coordinator Will Thompson said. “Making the Big 33 as a player that played multiple positions just exemplifies the type of player he is, which is monumental for our program.

“(He is a) dynamic player that leads by example (and) will do anything for the team in the toughest situations.” 

Gross, who will continue his hard-hitting career at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University, led the Saints with fellow linebacker Cam Allen-Jones in total tackles with 94 to go along with an interception, two fumble recoveries, and two fumbles caused. He also rushed for three touchdowns as part of the team’s talented corps of running backs.

“Cam Gross has been our bell cow on defense for the last few years,” Battaglia said. “He is the epitome of toughness and leadership. I expect him to be the same for Team Maryland.”

Hill, who remains undecided on his next school, flourished at defensive back and wide receiver last fall, including collecting 16 tackles, two interceptions for 71 yards and four passes defensed. Hill also hauled in 13 passes for 172 yards and scored three total touchdowns.

“Darian Hill is one of the most explosive players in the state of Maryland,” Battaglia said. “His selection shows the type of athlete he is by making the team at a position that is not his primary. I expect him to make big plays both on defense as well as in the return game.”

Cousler, a 6-foot-4, 295-pound lineman who has committed to Frostburg State, anchored a Concordia Prep line that rushed for nearly 2,200 yards and 34 touchdowns. The Saints averaged 6.7 yards per carry for the season.

“Dan's dominance up front started well before he stepped on the field,” Thompson said. “He works tirelessly at practice and in the weight room. Dan was the key up front for us all season long.”

Those four hope to lead the Maryland squad to its first victory in the series since a 9-6 win by the Free State in 2018. According to abc27.com, every Super Bowl has had “at least one former Big 33 player on the roster.”