Sheffield High School graduate Jason Barner has been asked to be an assistant coach for the 2012 Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) East-West All-Star Game on May 6 at Gateway High School in Monroeville.
The PSFCA East-West All Star Game is a premier all-star football game that features future Division I and II players from across Pennsylvania in their last high school game.
Barner will be coaching the West linebackers and helping with special teams. He was asked to coach last year, but there didn't end up being a game.
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Coaching honors
Former Kane head coach Jason Barner claps his hands as his team lifts the school's first District 9 championship trophy in 2007.
Despite resigning as head coach of Kane High School after six seasons as head coach, and 10 as assistant coach prior, Barner was asked again this year.
"It's a cool honor because your nominated and voted upon by PSFCA (members and coaches)," said Barner, 39.
In addition, Barner will get to coach a West roster in which one of his players has been invited to play. Kane senior standout defensive lineman Josh Kibbie, who just won a District 9 wrestling title this past weekend, will play football for Division II Edinboro University in the fall.
Fact Box
In rosters announced this week, Corry's Homer DeLattre will serve as the West team's head coach, and two District 10 players will be on the roster, including: East running back Anthony Jordan, and Grove City lineman Tony Turner.
Barner is looking at this opportunity as icing on the cake in this part of his football coaching career.
After 16 years involved coaching the Kane Area High School football program, Barner resigned in December to become more involved in his two kids' activities - as a fan.
"It wasn't an easy decision to make," he said. "I can always coach football again, but I can't raise my kids again."
He said his 13-year-old daughter, Alaina, is involved in everything sports, and his eight-year-old son, Curt, loves football.
Curt, for one, didn't want daddy to resign, given he was the "tee boy" for the Kane football team.
"I fully intend to get back into it," said Barner. "I'm resigning, not retiring."
In the meantime, Curt will be on the sidelines with his father at Gateway High School on May 6.
"It's a pretty good honor," said Barner, who led Kane to an undefeated regular season and first District 9 football championship in 2007. "It's very humbling (to have been considered)."
Warren Area High School graduate Ben Maljovec was invited to play in the PSFCA East-West all-star game (www.eastwestgame.com) in 2004 in Altoona before playing for Division I Syracuse University.