Kreinbucher set to play in East/West All-Star tilt
BUTLER TWP — Having helped Butler to one of its most successful seasons on the gridiron in over two decades, tight end Charlie Kreinbucher will pull his shoulder pads on to represent the Golden Tornado once more.
The soon-to-be prep graduate will take part in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) Big School East/West game at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg on Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some really good players from all around,” Kreinbucher said. “I’m excited to finally put the pads on again and go out and play. We only get a couple chances to do that throughout the year and this is a great chance to do that.”
Kreinbucher is the first Butler player to compete in such a showcase in recent memory.
“It’s nice to represent my town,” Kreinbucher said. “I get to wear my Butler logo and go to Harrisburg and show everyone where I’m from and what kind of talent can come out of Butler.”
In this exhibition, the defense can only play man coverage and isn’t allowed to send blitzers after the passer. At Woodland Hills the past two Sundays, the participants have gathered for competition-style practices that included seven-on-seven drills.
Two friends – former North Allegheny tight end Khalil Dinkins and future Bucknell University teammate Cade Rooney – played in the Big 33 Football Classic last year, which is played in conjecture with the East/West game, and recommended the experience to Kreinbucher.
It was enough to sell Kreinbucher, who OK’d it with his college coaches before deciding to take part in the exhibition.
“I feel like, if I worry about getting hurt all the time, I’ll never get a chance to go out and have fun,” Kreinbucher said. “I don’t think about that too much.”
Despite it being an all-star matchup, Kreinbucher expects the players’ competitive nature to show through.
“We’re there to play, we’re there to win, because there’s a trophy at the end,” Kreinbucher said. “You never know how guys are going to react to that on the field … As far as I know, it’s not going to be a two-hand touch (game). It’s supposed to be all-out.”
The Golden Tornado will send Isaiah Kelly, Jake Pomykata, Ethan Trettel, and Blaze McCandless to the District 10 All-Star game this summer.
“It’s nice to get the name out,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “There’s been a lack of positive publicity going on. It’s just been publicity for Butler with news. It’s nice (being able) to go, ‘Oh yeah, there’s a kid who’s doing really well and has gone through the program.’
“The more guys who can get involved with all-star games and getting accolades, the more we want.”
