Lantzy Notebook | Coaches Brandon Bailey, Jason Grassi recall links to annual contest
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Brandon Bailey completed his high school career as a prolific passer at District 6 power Forest Hills High School 34 years ago.
In fact, the current Richland High School coach was among a group of four area quarterbacks during what The Tribune-Democrat and other media dubbed “The Year of the Quarterback.”
The others included Greater Johnstown’s Brian Mangiafico, Northern Cambria’s Rick Artley and Altoona’s Steve Taneyhill.
Despite his credentials and a scholarship offer to NCAA Division I West Virginia University, Bailey didn’t play in the 1992 Ken Lantzy Finest 40 contest at Point Stadium.
Instead, the Big 33 committee summoned Bailey to quarterback the Pennsylvania squad against Maryland at Hershey in July 1992.
No stranger to the local tradition, Bailey will coach the South squad against the North in the 55th 1st Summit Bank Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic Friday at Greater Johnstown High School’s Trojan Stadium.
“It’s always something special,” said Bailey, a third-time Lantzy head coach. “It’s a great thing for our community how it’s set up. People come out – the cheerleaders, the band. Friday night football – it’s great.”
Bailey passed for 5,667 yards and 64 touchdowns while playing for his father, the late Don Bailey, during the 1988 to 1991 seasons. His 2,835 yards and 34 passing TDs helped 14-1 Forest Hills win the 1991 District 6 Class 2A championship and reach the PIAA semifinals before falling 12-6 to eventual state champion Aliquippa, led by future Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ty Law.
Those numbers merited a Lantzy game selection, but Bailey felt his opting out of the local all-star game for the Big 33 also would provide an opportunity for a teammate.
“I actually didn’t play in this game,” Bailey said before a practice at Windber. “I was presented that situation in 1992 where I probably could have played in it. I also had a chance to play in the Big 33, which I did.
“I also knew I played on a great team at Forest Hills, and if I didn’t play (in the Lantzy Game), one of my friends and teammates would get a chance to play in that game. I actually sat out the Lantzy game so one more Forest Hills kid could get in.”
In fact, Forest Hills wide receiver Greg Myers had a huge role in the North squad’s 51-29 win over a heavily favored South team that had Pennsylvania big school player of the year Mangiafico at quarterback as well as other stars on a loaded offense.
In the waning seconds of the opening half, North coach John Jacoby from Conemaugh Valley, concerned about adhering to a Lantzy game rule that required teams to have at least 15 pass attempts through the third quarter, decided to use a passing play from his own 20-yard line.
The Rangers’ Myers convinced Jacoby to allow Artley to throw deep. Myers got behind the defense on the sideline, and Artley hit him 30 yards down the field.
Myers completed the dash to the end zone. The 80-yard TD reception erased a two-point deficit and gave the North an 18-14 halftime advantage that sparked a one-sided upset that included the North’s 544 yards of offense.
Forest Hills running back Mike Leventry provided blocking for North running back Matt Lee from Homer-Center, who was quoted in The Tribune-Democrat game story praising Leventry as “probably the best fullback in the area.”
Leventry also had a 1-yard touchdown run.
Forest Hills defensive back Jason Toth earned one of the eight $500 scholarships based on his performance in the game.
Bailey’s unselfish choice paid dividends in 1992.
How about that Big 33 game more than three decades ago?
Bailey completed 5 of 7 passes for 71 yards as Pennsylvania beat Maryland 38-0. The quarterback split time with Blackhawk’s Scott Weaver, who was a four-year starter at the University of Illinois in the Big Ten.
• Coming full circle: Penn Cambria coach Jason Grassi is looking forward to completing a task not too many have done throughout the 55-year history of the Lantzy game.
In 1996, Grassi played in the contest after graduating from Penn Cambria. He served as an assistant under then-Penn Cambria coach Ernie Fetzer in 2012, and is head coach this time around during his second stint leading the Panthers.
Grassi led the Panthers from 2013-16 and completed his first season back as head coach in 2025. Penn Cambria repeated as District 6 Class 3A champions and advanced to the PIAA semifinals in 2025. Grassi, who replaced Nick Felus, was named as The Tribune-Democrat’s coach of the year.
Earning a spot along the sidelines is an honor for Grassi.
“It’s a prestigious game,” Grassi said. “One of my older brothers (Todd) played in it before me, so I got a chance to see that. I was lucky enough to play in it as well. To coach in it as an assistant and finally as a head coach, it’s been great. Telling these guys what the game is all about – they know what it’s all about. Just to be through all of those different parts of it, it’s been great.”
• Family ties: Portage graduate Easton Slanoc is playing in the same game as his father, Marty, did in 1994.
Marty Slanoc, head coach at Portage, is an assistant under Grassi on the North staff this week.
“It’s pretty awesome. Not only my dad, but a lot of my friends have played in it, too,” Easton Slanoc said. “I got word from them how much they enjoyed the game. A lot of the seniors when I was a freshman, they played in it. I got to see that game. It’s just awesome to see them out there, having fun and meeting new guys. I’m glad that I’m able to do that myself.”
Easton Slanoc believes the camaraderie built during the week makes the annual all-star game a hit.
“He said a lot about the team bonding and how much you get to know these guys,” Easton Slanoc said of his father’s words of wisdom before the week started. “You’re friends forever with them. You find out where they’re going to college. You get to know their next chapter. Not a lot of people get this opportunity. I’m very thankful to get this opportunity to play in this game with all of the guys on the team.”
• Lantzy streaming: Renda Media in Indiana will provide live video streaming of the 55th 1st Summit Bank Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic.
Renda Media provided a link to the coverage on YouTube.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos