SILVER SPRING TWP. — Justus Starks had a Pennsylvania helmet on just like his teammates at the 69th Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association Big 33 Classic. But Starks, who will play football at Cal (Pa.), also carried the legacy of representing the Aliquippa football program.

While the Pennsylvania team lost 18-10 in double overtime to Maryland, Starks and his teammates battled for every inch. Starks was in on a high number of tackles for Pennsylvania and was named the team’s most valuable player.

“This is definitely an honor,” Starks said. “This is definitely for my mom, the Aliquippa Quips and my friend who died a few years back. I want to dedicate this game to him.”

Pennsylvania, which fell to 15-6 all-time against Maryland and lost for the second consecutive year, nearly had a game-changing goal line stand during the second overtime. Maryland had the ball first-and-goal at the 3-yard line and only gained 1 net yard on three plays.

On fourth down, Jonathan Coleman scored on a 2-yard run to put Maryland ahead for good.

“Hey, let’s see if we can’t get a great perimeter athlete to the edge and let them play ball,” Maryland coach Donald Damon said.

Kaden Foster added the two-point conversion on a running play.

It was the first Big 33 game to go to double overtime since 2014.

Pennsylvania was only able to reach the second overtime thanks to a 51-yard field goal from Hempfield Landisville’s Brady Biscoe.

The kick had Pennsylvania coach Don Holl of Gateway considering if he should have kicked at the end of regulation instead of attempting a Hail Mary.

“We probably should have kicked it at the end of regulation,” Holl said. “He was good.”

Pennsylvania scored the only points of the first half when Blake Turner caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jack Kenneff. However, Turner’s touchdown was Pennsylvania’s only real highlight on offense.

The Maryland defense suffocated Pennsylvania for the rest of the game. Pennsylvania finished with 32 rushing yards on 24 carries. Pennsylvania only gained 122 yards on 50 total plays.

“I don’t know if we tried to do too much or didn’t establish the run,” Holl said. “All the things you try to do. We struggled to sustain some stuff. Credit to them. It was tough.”

The only other points in regulation came when Maryland’s Michael Robinson caught a 21-yard pass from Blake Pasik for a touchdown with 2 minutes, 12 seconds remaining.

Holl challenged the catch, but it was upheld on replay.

Starks said he was proud of Pennsylvania’s defensive effort.

“We bonded throughout the week,” Starks said. “We came out here to show what we can do. We showed that we can always do this.”

In overtime, Maryland kicked a field goal on its first possession. Biscoe followed with a field goal to tie it up and give Pennsylvania hope.

“We never quit,” Starks said. “Fear no man. When your back is against the wall you have to push.”