For Marian Catholic’s outstanding gridiron player, Michael Gelatko, the proverbial “icing on the cake” came recently when the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association unveiled its 2025 Big 33 Game roster during its Coaches Clinic held at the Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center in Camp Hill.

Gelatko, the 6-4, 230-pounder on his way to play for Division 1 Buffalo next fall, was one of two tight ends named to the squad, and one of two Schuylkill League gridders to be dubbed the “best in Pennsylvania.”

“It feels great to be selected to play in this game,” Gelatko said. “As a PA high school football player, being selected to the Big 33 game is probably the biggest honor you can get. I can’t wait to be able to participate in all the Big 33 events and play a game with the best players in the state.”

His selection marked the close of a stellar career in which he received a full ride to the University at Buffalo; was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class All State Team two years in a row; received a Mini Max High School Award from the Maxwell Football Club; helped the Colt program to back-to-back winning campaigns and berths in the District 11 playoffs under coaches Stan Dakosty and Billy O’Gurek; and was named an All-Star by the Times News, Pottsville Republican, Standard Speaker, Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association and EasternPAFootball.

“All my success starts with my parents and my family as a whole,” Michael said. “They did such a good job raising me and giving me all the opportunities possible to be able to be in this position today. The same could be said for all my coaches. I wouldn’t be the player I am today without every one of those coaches. Lastly, I want to thank my teammates for making this sport so much fun, allowing me to always be myself, and always being there for me.”

“We couldn’t be happier for Michael and his family for being named to the 2025 Big 33 team,” said his coach, Billy O’Gurek. “We have felt for years that Michael is one of the best tight ends in the state and his selection by the State Association and the Big 33 selection committee goes to show that his hard work and dedication over the last four years has paid off.”

A son of Mickey and Kristen (Gould) Gelatko of Andreas whose sister, Lexi, is a freshman at Marian, Gelatko will be joined by North Schuylkill’s Gavin Mentzer, who made the team as a punter, in being the only District 11 players named to the squad, which is dominated by players from numerous 6A and 5A schools, including St. Joe’s Prep, Imhotep Charter, State College, Danville, North Penn, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Roman Catholic and Cumberland Valley, among others.

“Michael’s selection is especially rewarding considering that he is the only Class A player on the 40-man roster,” said coach O’Gurek. “To know that an all-star team of the best high school football players in the state will include a Marian Colt is a credit to Michael’s abilities and work ethic first, but also to our coaching staff for the development and coaching they have done for Michael and the rest of our student-athletes.”

“When I was younger, the goal was to always get college paid for,” said Gelatko. “Being able to sign with Buffalo is truly a dream come true for me and I couldn’t be happier. As for all my awards, it’s great to see all my hard work get recognized. As for Marian, it has been great. When I got here in my freshman year, I was welcomed with open arms, especially by the football and baseball teams. The school is truly special and has helped to mold me into the person and student I am today.”

O’Gurek said the selection of Gelatko and Mentzer to play in the game is a feather in the cap of the Coal Regions.

“We always take pride in representing the Coal Region, and to have not just Michael on the team but also Gavin (Mentzer), is a great accomplishment for the Schuylkill League and Coal Region football teams,” said O’Gurek.

The 68th Big 33 Football Classic will take place on Sunday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field, where the top Pennsylvania athletes will go up against the Big 33 team from Maryland.

Originating in 1957, the Big 33 Football Classic is one of the nation’s finest scholastic All-Star Football Games, currently showcasing Pennsylvania and Maryland’s premier football players. Now into its sixth decade, the classic is often described as “The Super Bowl of High School Football.”

Gelatko’s selection makes him the fifth Marian football player to make a Big 33 team, following Brent “Chuck” Andrew, Joe Gillespie, Sean Love and Erick Hackenberg. Their former coach, Stan Dakosty, successfully coached the Pennsylvania team in 1992 to a 38-0 victory over Maryland, and is a past president of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association.

The Pennsylvania team this year will be coached by Matt Ortega of Coatesville. Ironically, a former Marian standout, Jim McCarroll, Class of 1989, who is a past assistant coach at Marian, Pocono Mountain and Wyoming Valley West high schools and the current coach at Pocono Mountain West High School, will be an assistant coach to Ortega.