Hildebrand Selected To Coach In 70th Big 33 Football Classic

By: Ed Weaver  /  October 15, 2026  /  Photo: Jason Robson

Head Football Coach Matt Hildebrand was chosen to represent Team PA in the 70th Big 33 Football Classic this coming May. The announcement was made public Thursday afternoon.

Hildebrand will be an assistant coach on Ed Gallagher's (Souderton) staff during the Memorial Day game.

The Big 33 Football Classic is considered the "Super Bowl of High School Football." Starting back in 1958, the game has featured at least one former player to play in every Super Bowl for the last 60 years.

Hildebrand is only the second Wellsboro head coach to take part in the game. Former head coach Russ Manney coached in the game in 1996. In addition to Hildebrand and Manney, Steve Radocaj (1978) is the only player from Wellsboro to participate in the game as a member of PA's 1978 East squad.

To be chosen as an assistant coach, coaches must be members of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) during either the preceding or current year and demonstrate coaching success. Consideration is given to service to the PSFCA or PA football and veteran coaches.

Hildebrand is a current District IV PSFCA rep, a past president of the District IV Football Coaches Association, and has helped evaluate players for both the PSFCA East/West and Big 33 All-Star games.

"Being selected to coach in the BIG33 is a huge honor," Hildebrand said. "As a coach it is one of those games you always hope you will have the chance to be a part of. This all-star game has always been a huge part of Pennsylvanian High School football history and having this opportunity is truly a once in a lifetime chance. To be able to work with some of the top high school football players in the state and represent Wellsboro while doing so is something I am looking forward to. Hopefully some of this year's players will be part of the continued streak of Super Bowl players. The PSFCA has done a great job at continuing and growing this game into much more then a singular one day event. They do many great things surrounding this game that go beyond football."