EF’s Whatton surprised by Big 33 nod

By Jose Negron
jnegron@yourmvi.com

As Chase Whatton entered the doors of Elizabeth Forward High School Thursday afternoon, he couldn’t imagine the news he was about to receive. 

The EF standout donned his No. 19 jersey, as requested by head coach Mike Collodi, under the impression that he was attending a district-sponsored celebration of his recent signing with Bowling Green State University. 

Unbeknown to Whatton, the celebration was for another accomplishment. 

A 1:45 p.m. roster reveal presented Whatton with the surprise news that he was among the players selected to represent Pennsylvania in this year’s Big 33 Football Classic, an event often described as the “Super Bowl of High School Football.” 

The 64th annual game, which did not take place last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will pit Pennsylvania’s top high school players against those from Maryland. It will be held May 31 at Central Dauphin’s Landis Field in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County. 

Whatton’s selection makes him the fifth EF player in history and the first in 36 years to take part in the event, which has been played since 1957. 

“I had no idea at all,” Whatton said. “At first when I saw Big 33 on the screen, I kind of had an idea, but then coach said, ‘I don’t know if you made it yet,’ since it was live. I wasn’t sure, but then I was like, ‘I guess they wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t make it.’” 

Whatton won’t be the only one representing Elizabeth Forward as Collodi was selected as a member of Team Pennsylvania’s coaching staff. 

Collodi is the first EF coach in history to ever get the opportunity to coach in the Big 33 game. 

“It’s amazing to see Chase honored for this game and I’m so excited and thankful to have been asked to be a coach in this,” Collodi said. “Sharing it with Chase makes it that much better. It’s going to be a special event for he and I to remember for the rest of our lives.” 

Whatton has had quite an eventful few months filled with accolades and recovery after a long season in which he helped lead Elizabeth Forward to the WPIAL championship game for the first time in program history. 

He was named conference defensive player of the year for the second year in a row in November, earned all-state honors in December and captured Mon Valley Independent-BeeGraphix Finest 30 honors right before the beginning of the new year. Whatton was also named the recipient of the Spencer Lynn Excellence in Leadership award. 

While those honors are certainly significant to Whatton, the nod to play in the Big 33 means even more. 

“This is probably the biggest one of them all and I know individual accomplishments are just for you, but this right here means I get to play with a bunch of the best players in the state,” Whatton said. “I know we all have one thing in common and that is the fact that we’ve all worked our butts off to get here. I’m just thankful that God blessed me with this athletic ability.”

After a strong junior campaign that helped him garner more than 30 Division I offers, Whatton made just as much of an impact as a senior this fall. He collected 49 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during a season in which he played with multiple injuries. 

Whatton has already had two surgeries this offseason, including one to repair a torn right labrum. He will undergo another one later this month to repair his torn left labrum as well. 

Whatton’s status for the Big 33 game is uncertain, but he and Collodi are both confident he will be able to suit up for Team Pennsylvania. 

“I truly just want to take it all in, pray and thank God for all that he’s done for me,” Whatton said. “I’ll have three months on the left and six on the right by the time the game comes, so I’m really hoping to play. Even if it’s a few downs, I’m really going to enjoy the experience.” 

Whatton isn’t the only local player to be named to the Team Pennsylvania roster as Thomas Jefferson’s Preston Zandier will also make the Memorial Day weekend trip to Central Dauphin. 

Zandier, a Youngstown State recruit, led TJ with 47 receptions as a senior this fall. He compiled 718 yards and scored a team-high 11 touchdowns while helping to lead the Jaguars to WPIAL and PIAA championships for the second consecutive season. 

“I’m really honored to be a part of this team and game, especially having Chase as a close friend. We’ve always talked about playing together on the defensive side of the ball and we finally can,” Zandier said. “With all of the elite players and coaches involved, this is something I’ve never dreamed of being a part of and I’m truly blessed. I can’t wait.”

Sharing the experience with Zandier is something Whatton is looking forward to as the pair have developed a strong bond through football and family. Zandier is the brother of Whatton’s girlfriend, Remy. 

“We always push each other and we’re super close,” Whatton said. “I’m really happy for him to get this opportunity and I’m looking forward to playing in an actual game with him.”