It's safe to say Lyle Marsh was impressed by the level of competition he faced and played with at the Big 33 Classic high school football all-star game played Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.

It's equally accurate to say Marsh, a Bethel Park graduate and University of Pennsylvania recruit, fit in well enough.

Marsh scored twice for the Pennsylvania team in a 38-31 loss to Ohio.

"It was just a whole 'nother level," Marsh said of the quality of play at the Big 33. "It was like playing a college game. Everyone was so good; there were no weak spots on their entire team."

Marsh was a running back for the WPIAL Class AAAA champion and PIAA runner-up Black Hawks last season. Coincidentally, his final high school game was also in Hershey as part of the Bethel Park team that lost to Bethlehem Liberty in the PIAA title game in December.

This game also ended in defeat, but the result was secondary to Marsh.

"It was a lot of fun," Marsh said. "Ohio was a real good team, but it was a fun experience playing against them."

Marsh was second on the team in rushing with 41 yards. He was one of two players (Penn State recruit Curtis Drake was the other) to score twice in the game.

"It was kind of tough -- not tough, just different -- only playing offense and splitting carries with someone as opposed to playing a full game," Marsh said. "But I got as many carries as I expected to get and I got more than I expected from the game."

Now Marsh can turn his attention to college. He plans to move to Philadelphia the first week of August. Before that, he wants to prepare himself as much as possible for when football camp for the Quakers begins Aug. 24.

Marsh's high school teammate, receiver John Schademan, had one reception for 17 yards.

Also participating from PG South area schools were Mc-Keesport defensive lineman Dana Brown and Thomas Jefferson's Brock DeCicco. Brown recovered a fumble and DeCicco had one catch for 7 yards while playing tight end.