HERSHEY - There is almost as much talk about the future of the Big 33 all-star game as there is about Saturday night's contest at Hersheypark Stadium.

The game will be the 49th since the Big 33's inception in 1958 - with varying formats, though the Ohio vs. Pennsylvania version seems to be very popular. The teams have played 12 times in the current series, each winning six times.

Getting to its 50th anniversary game is the challenge for the Big 33.

Several changes in NCAA rules have made it difficult for the Big 33 and other high school all-star football games. A recent change that permits athletes to go on scholarship during the summer months following their high school graduation has imperiled the game.

As a result, Big 33 officials have already discussed moving the 2006 game from its traditional late July date to mid-June, tentatively June 17, in effort to catch top players before they go to college.

Big 33 officials were already stung by defections of some well-known players through early enrollment. Penn State recruits Dan Connor from Strath Haven in 2004 and Justin King from Gateway this year both enrolled in college in January after completing high school early, making them ineligible for the Big 33 game.

In addition, several players selected from both Pennsylvania and Ohio were discouraged or prohibited by their college coaches from playing in summer all-star games. Virginia tailback Mikell Simpson and Notre Dame linebacker Steve Quinn and linemen Mike Turkovich and Derrell Hand are among those missing from the Pennsylvania roster.

"High school summer all-star football games could be history," said Big 33 executive director Mickey Minnich. "Right now, I'm trying to make lemonade out of a lemon. It's difficult."

Recently, winning the game has been difficult for the host Pennsylvania team. Ohio won a tight 34-30 decision last year that wasn't decided until the final minutes after romping 38-7 in 2003.

Another problem for Pennsylvania is the state was light on senior quarterbacks last season, so much that Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Shane Murray and Thomas Jefferson's Brad Dawson were primarily recruited by colleges as defensive backs. No matter, they will split playing time at quarterback when the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Murray will attend Pitt, while Dawson will go to Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Both led their respective teams to state championships in December.

Butler offensive lineman Nate Hartung also was invited to play in the game.

Pennsylvania does have a strong group of running backs, led by Wisconsin recruit Jerry Butler. Butler, from George Washington, nearly lead his team to a PIAA quarterfinal upset of District 11 champion Easton in the first appearance by a Philadelphia team in the state playoffs. Easton won, 15-13.

Pennsylvania can also turn to Clairton's Dana Brown (Iowa recruit), Penn Hills' Ed Collington (West Virginia) and Johnstown's LaRod Stephens-Howling, another Pitt recruit.

The state's single-season record-holder in pass receptions, Seton-LaSalle's Carmen Connolly, could be the primary target for Murray and Dawson.

Connolly, also headed to West Virginia, caught 116 passes last year for the Rebels, who won the District 7 Class AA championship over Aliquippa. The Quips have two tight ends in the game: Tommie Campbell, a Pitt recruit and the PIAA Class AA 100-meter champion, and Donnell McKenzie, headed to Cincinnati. Both will also play on defense.

Defensively, Pennsylvania will be led by Penn State recruit and linebacker Sean Lee, from Upper St. Clair.

Ohio's roster features eight players bound for Ohio State, including 6-foot-6, 230-pound quarterback Robby Schoenhoft of Saint Xavier. Former Archbishop Hoban running back Tyrell Sutton, the state's all-time leader in career rushing and all-purpose yards and a Northwestern recruit, was originally on the team but will not play.

Three Michigan State recruits are on the Ohio roster: 300-pound lineman Rocco Cironi, running back Javon Ringer and tight end Brandon Long.