By James Williams, Editor

Martin Luther King High School’s standout linebacker Khalid Bueno has been named to the 40-member Pennsylvania team for the 68th Big 33 Football Classic, one of the most prestigious high school football all-star games in the nation. The game, presented by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA, will take place on Sunday, May 25, at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Cumberland County, PA.

A Record-Breaking Career at MLK

Hailing from Stenton Avenue, Khalid Bueno has built an impressive football career at Martin Luther King High School, racking up multiple honors and records:

2x All-State Team Selection

2x All-Eastern

2x All-City

3x All-Public

Mini-Max Award Winner


In addition to his accolades, Bueno has etched his name in MLK history by setting multiple school records:

314 career tackles (MLK school record)

22 tackles in a single game (MLK school record)

12 tackles for loss in a game

22 tackles for loss in a season


A Leader On and Off the Field

Despite an up-and-down senior season, Bueno embraced his role as a leader and role model, particularly for young athletes in Philadelphia. He reflected on his journey:

“It was an unfortunate season to have my senior year, but nonetheless, it taught me the importance of leadership and how it can make or break a team. Individually, I feel as though I’ve had my best season of playing football in my entire career, breaking multiple school records and really standing out—not only in the city of Philadelphia, which is constantly stricken with gun violence, but also on a state level. I feel like I was able to be a ray of light in the darkness for the young generation, and I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to play in the Big 33 game, one of the most prestigious all-star games in the country.”

Pennsylvania’s Top 40: The Full Big 33 Roster

Joining Bueno on the Pennsylvania Big 33 Team are some of the best high school football players in the state. The full 40-member roster includes:

Daniel Batch (Montour)

Donald Barksdale (Steel Valley)

Dominic Diaz-Ellis (Bishop McDevitt)

Ty Salazer (State College)

Jabree Wallace-Coleman (Imhotep Charter)

Jalil Hall (Bonner-Prendergast)

Eddie Bowen (Central Bucks South)

Saimire Locks (Imhotep Charter)

Khalid Bueno (Martin Luther King)

Donovan Rodriguez (Manheim Township)

Michael Gelatko (Marian Catholic)

Lucas Lawler (Bishop McDevitt)

Ziyyon Bredell (Abraham Lincoln)

Madden Patrick (Danville)

Lazaryus Toombs (Roman Catholic)

Jy’Aire Walls (Pittsburgh Central Catholic)

Christian Palmer Jr. (Roman Catholic)

Aiden Eves (North Penn)

Ryan McDonald (St. Joseph’s Prep)

Braden Reed (Pope John Paul II)

Amari Jackson (Beaver)

Louis Gaddy (Roman Catholic)

Chris Ulmer (Lansdale Catholic)

Darian Nelson (Plum)

Parker Johnson (Williamsport)

Tasso Whipple (Penn-Trafford)

Gavin Mentzer (North Schuylkill)

Michael Gaul (State College)

Parker Cunningham (South Park)

Justin Schmidt (Thomas Jefferson)

Jackson Bojanic-Hubbell (Pine-Richland)

Shep Turk (Thomas Jefferson)

Nate Stohl (Upper Saint Clair)

Mykell Ford (Roman Catholic)

Christopher Climes (Elizabeth-Forward)

Dyjeere Weekes (Scranton)

Sean Tanner (Red Lion)

Kahlil Stewart (St. Joseph’s Prep)

Cole Euker (Perkiomen Valley)

Nolan Buzalka (Cumberland Valley)

Lex Cyrus (Susquehanna Township)

Stone Saunders (Bishop McDevitt)

Saxton Suchanic (Central York)

Matt Zollers (Spring-Ford)


The Big 33 Football Classic is known for being a launching pad for future college and professional football stars. The game boasts an incredible legacy, with at least one former player appearing in every Super Bowl in history.