HERSHEY, Pa. -- As a reporter approached Steve Breaston after a Big 33 all-star practice earlier this week, Tyler Palko walked by and offered an introduction.
"This is H.H.R.," Palko said, pointing toward Breaston. "Just call him that. It's short for Human Highlight Reel."
Maybe Palko was referring to the past two seasons, when Breaston had numerous great moments as the standout quarterback at Woodland Hills High School. But Palko was talking in the present tense, as in this week.
Breaston has been practicing at receiver for the Pennsylvania team that will play Ohio tomorrow night in the 45th annual Big 33 football game at Hersheypark Stadium. It might be a new position and a new team for Breaston, but he's making the same jaw-dropping plays. He has been the talk of his Pennsylvania peers and coaches.
"He's unbelievable," said Palko, a Pennsylvania quarterback, a former West Allegheny star and Pitt recruit. "It's everything with him. It's his speed, his hands; he separates from people. He's head and shoulders above everyone here. The kid is going to be playing Sundays someday."
Do you get what Palko is saying? Breaston is a recruit for the University of Michigan, which plays on Saturdays. You know which guys play on Sundays.
"Breaston is a special athlete," said Bob Palko, Tyler's father, West Allegheny's coach and a Pennsylvania assistant. "You have the best of the best here, but you look at him and go, 'Wow.' He'll play on Sundays."
Talk about a lasting first impression. This is the first time Breaston (6 feet 1, 175 pounds) will play receiver in a high school game. He also will play receiver at Michigan.
"He's been unreal," said Berwick's George Curry, who is Pennsylvania's coach. "Nobody here can cover him. I'll tell you a little secret. He'll go to Michigan and make a big name for himself. Mark my word. There is no doubt in my mind."
Breaston spent part of this summer on Michigan's campus, working out with the Wolverines. He also worked out with Tyler Palko a few times at Woodland Hills. "Tyler's a great leader and a great player," Breaston said. "I like being around him. It's kind of weird because he's become one of my closest friends."
Breaston does not know if he will be redshirted his first season at Michigan.
"I wouldn't mind it," he said. "I'll take a year to work on lifting weights and getting better at receiver."
But Breaston apparently is pretty good at receiver already. Pennsylvania has some talented receivers, including Strath Haven's Josh Hannum (Penn State), Wilson's Ian Firestone (North Carolina), Archbishop Carroll's Maurice Stovall (Notre Dame) and McCaskey's Dan Melendez (Maryland). But Breaston has won the starting job along with Stovall.
"Maybe [Breaston] doesn't run great routes yet, but let me define great routes. That's someone who has been playing receiver for a long time," Tyler Palko said. "He runs good routes. He's been turning defenders around up here."
Big 33 rules should benefit Breaston. Blitzing is not allowed, and teams must play man-to-man defense.
"In this game, I just want to do my part," he said. "If that means catching, I'll catch passes. If it means block, I'll block."
Tyler Palko said: "Steve works his tail off and doesn't say two words. It's not too often nowadays you find guys who just go about their business without saying anything. He's my type of guy. Unfortunately, I won't get to throw to him at Pitt."
NOTES -- The game will be televised live by Fox Sports Net. ... Pennsylvania has made two roster changes because of injuries. Central Catholic defensive lineman Andre Williams and Reading running back-defensive back Sam Bryant will not play because of back injuries. Neshaminy receiver Keith Ennis and Pennsbury lineman Matt Applebaum replaced them.
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