The 38-7 loss to Ohio in the Big 33 Game was a sour end to a glorious high school football career for some of the best football players in Pennsylvania. For six future Penn State players though, it was the start of a promising beginning and a preview of their college-playing career together.

Six of the players that dressed in Pennsylvania blue and white at the Hersheypark Stadium will continue to wear blue and white come the 2003 football season.

Only they will be playing at Beaver Stadium in front of 100,000 plus fans cheering on the Nittany Lions.

"The experience was everything I hoped for despite the loss, and I made some great friendships especially with the other guys going to Penn State," defensive lineman Joel Holler said.

Wide receivers Brendan Parretta and Brent Wise, linebackers Paul Posluszny and Austin Scott, and defensive lineman John Shaw will accompany Holler on the 2003 Nittany Lion roster.

Although the game was the highlight of the week, activities extended beyond the playing field.

During the Big 33 Week, players from both teams joined a local host family. The players formed relationships, which endure beyond the collegiate career of the players, creating a new "home away from home."

Players from Pennsylvania and Ohio were matched with a member of the "Buddy" team, a group of young people with exceptional needs. Together, players and buddies enjoyed memorable experiences when they shared lunch, attended a banquet, and were introduced together at the game.

Shaw said helping the kids at the Children's Hospital was the highlight of his week off the field.

More so, all of the players formed relationships with their teammates through grueling practices and up-tempo workouts.

"The whole experience was great because I got to know some of my teammates this week and hang out with them," Paretta said. "I'm glad I'm going up there with a few friends on the team."

Prior to the Big 33 Game, with the exception of Peretta, the rising freshmen have already spent some time in Happy Valley.

"Working out at Penn State was a good opportunity because we were together at school," Wise said. "Having played together in the Big 33 Game, we really formed a bond."

For the majority of the signees, it has been a lifelong dream to play Penn State football and they are wasting no time turning that dream into a reality.

"I always wanted to play for Penn State so when they gave me the opportunity, I couldn't pass it up," Paretta said.

Wise, who always wanted to play for Penn State, plans to head to school today, where he will be joined by his teammates in a few weeks at the start of camp.

Holler said that because of the experience he has had at Penn State, he is more comfortable with the transition.

"Just the feeling I had when I got to Penn State made me feel at home," Holler said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

For the Big 33 defensive Most Valuable Player Posluszny, the game was a positive experience despite the upset.

"It was great meeting the freshmen that will be going to Penn State with me," Posluszny said. "We are a close knit group so far and we'll only get closer."